Ochsner Magazine February/March 2023

The Ties That Bind

After a nearly fatal accident, Ben Bordelon shares how an unbreakable bond and high quality care helped him make a remarkable recovery

Also In This Issue:

• How precision medicine transforms outcomes for cancer patients (page 4)

• Exploring the gardens of Ochsner and their capacity to heal and nurture (page 6)

• Why the Suquet family is dedicated to supporting the growth of the Neuroscience Institute (page 12)

• Compassionate care for families through support for the NICU at Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center (page 14)

Dear Friends ,

The new year is a time of great optimism and possibility. Many of us start each new year by refl ecting on our past and resolving to make the year ahead one of happiness, health, success and fulfi llment.

Last year was another profound chapter in Ochsner’s history. Our team of physicians, researchers, caregivers, colleagues and donors made a diff erence in the lives of over 1.4 million patients. The Ochsner team delivered hope in the form of clinical trials to patients with conditions once thought to be incurable. We announced a transformational gift that will allow us to bring our award-winning neuroscience program to more patients and create a center dedicated to neuro and behavioral healthcare. Each day, we have the privilege to give our patients the gifts of optimism and possibility.

The stories shared in this issue are those of hope and proof of the remarkable diff erence we can each make on the world. I hope you will fi nd inspiration in reading about the remarkable people who have shared their stories and overcome incredible challenges.

Some of the amazing community members spotlighted in this issue include Ben Bordelon, former LSU and San Diego Chargers football player who was born at Ochsner St. Anne Hospital and later returned after a life-threatening car accident. With support from his incredible team of doctors and nurses, Ben has made a full recovery and is back playing sports and running one of the largest ship repair yards in the Gulf South.

You’ll learn about another inspiring patient, Margaret Jenkins, who entrusted Ochsner with her care throughout the course of her 100-year lifetime, traveling from Fort Worth to New Orleans for her annual check-up. Her legacy is already impacting a new generation of patients, thanks to her generous contribution to advancing medical research with a bequest in her will.

Having experienced fi rsthand when a loved one suff ers from memory loss and cognitive decline, José Suquet and his wife are supporting Ochsner’s Neuroscience Institute to help other families navigate the diffi cult diagnosis that aff ects so many. I hope you also fi nd inspiration in the story of Catherine and Bobby Brignac, a couple who turned the profound loss of their own child into hope for a better future by contributing to NICUs across the Gulf South.

Cheers to a new year, and limitless possibilities ahead.

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

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

Precision Cancer Therapies

New advances in cancer treatment provide an alternative to chemotherapy— giving patients back their lives.

The Gardens of Ochsner

Ochsner’s gardens are built to help patients, staff and students as they heal, grow and learn.

Cover Story: Ben Bordelon

A former professional football player shares his story of injury and recovery with Ochsner Health.

Supporting Patients

All the Way

Memories Live On at the Ochsner Neuroscience Institute

A family’s personal experience leads them to help support holistic care at the Ochsner Neuroscience Institute.

A Rainbow Over the NICU

A family spurred to action by grief provides support for families.

By the Numbers

Making Room for Mental Health

Bridging the Gap and Bioethics

Remembering a Great

The Edward Frohlich, MD, Endowed Professorship and lectureship honor Dr. Frohlich in perpetuity.

Honoring the Enduring Legacy of Margaret Jenkins

A patient’s long life and legacy continues to advance research and improvements in care at Ochsner.

Cover Photo: Daymon Gardner

This photo was taken on the Ochsner bridge over Jefferson Highway in the Center for Academic Excellence.

The Medicine of Tomorrow, Today

Precision Cancer Therapies Program offers hope through groundbreaking treatments

By Anne Paglia | Photos: Stephen Legendre

For decades, a cancer diagnosis meant chemotherapy treatment would shortly follow. Today, however, some patients have an alternative—thanks to precision medicine. Ochsner Health’s Precision Cancer Therapies Program (PCTP) has offered hundreds of patients this life-saving option.

Established in 2017, PCTP provides cancer patients a chance to receive some of the most innovative drugs available by participating in phase 1 clinical trials. PCTP is one of the only phase 1 cancer programs in the region, filling a critical need for residents of the Gulf South.

“The program provides new, often experimental, drugs to cancer patients who don’t have a lot of other options,” said Marc Matrana, MD, System Director

Oncologists trained in precision medicine start by genetically sequencing a patient’s cancer tissue or DNA. With the results, they can identify the genetic mutation causing the cancer and target it with the most effective therapy. These individualized treatments are more precise, tend to produce better outcomes and cause fewer side effects than chemotherapy, which kills healthy and cancerous cells alike.

“Chemotherapy is a very blunt instrument,” said Burke J. Brooks, MD, System Vice Chair of Hematology and Oncology at Ochsner. “It works for many cancers, but we’re trying to find more precise treatments with fewer side effects. Precision medicine—what we’re doing today—is advancing that dramatically.”

to think about cancer according to its molecular makeup. “If two cancers have the same molecular markers, they’re treated the same, whether they started in the colon or the stomach,” Dr. Brooks said. “The site of origin doesn’t make a difference. Today we’re pushing to have all of our patients’ cancers molecularly defined so we can look for those specific genetic abnormalities that lead to more precise, better treatments.”

for Precision Medicine at Ochsner. “In many cases, these treatments are very effective because they’re paired using precision medicine. We like to say that they’re receiving the medicine of tomorrow, today.”

Finding the root of the problem

Traditionally, doctors have defined cancers according to their sites of origin in the body. But scientific developments have shown that it’s more advantageous

For example, doctors previously viewed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as a single disease. Every patient with NSCLC was treated the same way with chemotherapy. In recent years, however, they’ve come to understand NSCLC as dozens of different diseases, each one defined by its own underlying mutation.

Burke J. Brooks, MD, System Vice Chair of Hematology and Oncology at Ochsner

“ We’re curing a large number of these patients and giving them their lives back. That’s what clinical research is all about—finding a cure for this. ”

— Marc Matrana, MD

“When we find those underlying mutations upfront and treat them rather than just the cancer itself, patients do far better,” Dr. Matrana said. “They have a far better quality of life, live longer, and have fewer side effects. Non-small cell lung cancer has become the poster child of precision medicine because it’s such a big part of treating this disease now.”

While there are already drugs on the market that target a number of NSCLC’s underlying mutations, commercial precision medicine treatments aren’t always available for patients with less common cancers. Clinical trials offer them a chance to still receive targeted treatments before the FDA approval process.

In addition to being offered access to treatment that is potentially more

effective, patients who participate in clinical trials benefit from a more watchful eye. Each clinical trial patient is assigned a research nurse who tracks their progress. They’re also enrolled in a monitoring program called Chemo Care Companion, supported by donations to the Ochsner Excellence Fund and Cancer Institute. The program provides patients with medical devices—like blood pressure cuffs, scales and pulse oximeters—to monitor their vitals several times a day. These devices are wirelessly connected to the electronic medical record (EMR) system, so patient vitals are available in real time. “The integration of this information directly into the EMR so it’s instantly available to patients has been a tremendous advantage,” Dr. Brooks said.

Ochsner oncologists virtually meet for a system-wide precision medicine conference every week, and EMR records allow them to present the details of patients’ cases to their colleagues. Afterward, the entire practice generates a recommendation, which is also entered into the EMR. “That’s one of the great strengths of Ochsner,” Dr. Brooks added. “When you access one Ochsner location, you access the entire system.”

Advancing scientific research and standard of care

By participating in clinical trials, Ochsner patients play a part in a broader effort to find more effective treatments for a wide range of cancers. Patients diagnosed with metastatic melanoma with brain metastases, a particularly devastating disease, have seen their

odds of survival transform. Ten years ago, life expectancy for the disease was just three months. Today, over 50 percent of patients are still alive years after starting immunotherapies. Many have completed their treatments with no signs of cancer.

“We’re curing a large number of these patients and giving them their lives back,” Dr. Matrana said. “That’s what clinical research is all about—finding a cure for this. In cases where we can’t find a cure, it totally changes the paradigm and allows patients to live longer, better lives. That’s why we do this work.“

PCTP has thrived for the past six years, enrolling hundreds of patients in treatment trials and thousands in testing trials. Thanks to corporate sponsorships and $3 million in philanthropic gifts over the years, Ochsner’s team can continue this lifesaving work.

“There are few places in this area of the United States that have the expertise, innovation and ability to persevere to develop these new and exciting programs for patients,” Dr. Brooks said. “They take time, money and effort.”

Despite the importance of the data collected through these trials and the potential breakthroughs in standard of care that lie ahead, Ochsner’s team doesn’t lose sight of its priority: patient care.

“The science and the new drugs that come out of this are extremely important, but the patient comes first,” Dr. Matrana said. “I ask myself, ‘What can I do for my patient that’s going to give them the best possible outcome?’ We think clinical trials are the way to go.”

Marc Matrana, MD, System Director for Precision Medicine at Ochsner

A Tour Through Ochsner’s Gardens: Environments Built for Healing

Ochsner’s gardens are helping patients, staff and students harness the power of nature

By Olivia Watson

At Ochsner Health, facilities planning begins with the fundamental understanding that our environment impacts our ability to heal, learn and grow. Chris Blackwell, Assistant Vice President of Facilities Planning, knows this best: “My team oversees new designs and construction plans across the hospital system, as well as remodels to existing facilities,” he shared. “At the core of every project we take on is one question: how can we build environments that promote wellness, incorporate nature and offer respite from the hospital walls?”

It’s no secret that our environment

plays a significant role in our physical and mental wellness. In fact, research shows that being in nature can lower blood pressure, reduce stress levels and improve mental restoration. It’s why the hallways and patient rooms across the healthcare organization are flooded with natural light from large windows, and patients and staff alike can find refuge in a variety of peaceful gardens.

For the Ochsner community, these natural spaces serve many purposes.

“There is the obvious healing benefit of a beautiful, tranquil place for patients, staff and visitors to walk through,”

Chris said. “But there’s so much more. In a therapeutic sense, a space like the Healing Garden at the Boh Center will have different surfaces and textures that can serve as rehabilitation for patients with mobility issues, to help them regain physical skills and confidence in a safe place.”

In turn, these spaces help healthcare professionals better support their patients. Students can benefit from interacting with the natural environment, growing food and participating in programs like the “ground-to-plate” education initiative. Thanks to

Emeril’s Culinary Garden at the Dr. John Ochsner Discover Health Sciences Academy.

Photo courtesy of Ochsner Marketing and Communications

generosity from donors, Ochsner’s care extends beyond the hospital walls to healing, community spaces—laying the groundwork for stronger healthcare design and better health outcomes.

support to ensure patients receive highquality care close to home.

“At Winn-Dixie, we hold an unwavering commitment to serving the families of the Gulf Coast, and our associates take

personalized, family-oriented care for kids with a wide range of physical, cognitive and behavioral disabilities. This includes the construction of a healing garden that will connect the Center for Primary Care and Wellness to the Boh Center building.

The garden will incorporate different textures and surfaces including stairs, curbs, gravel, grass and cobblestones, which give patients and therapists the opportunity to practice navigating realworld challenges in a safe environment. It will also be a place for all visitors to the pediatric campus to rest and relax.

Building meaningful partnerships

Ochsner’s success in bringing these gardens to life is due in large part to cultivating meaningful relationships with like-minded organizations. Among them is Winn-Dixie, the supermarket chain that donated $40,000 to the Ochsner Cancer Institute in 2022. More specifically, generous customers of the chain made donations at store locations throughout Louisiana to support clinical research, patient treatment and supplemental

great pride in cultivating a culture of giving, which is echoed by our customers’ generous participation in our donation campaign,” Lynn Rushing, Regional Vice President at Winn-Dixie, shared. “We are honored to continue our partnership with Ochsner in doing our part to support their incredible work that positively impacts the well-being of local patients, their families and the communities we serve.”

Some of the funding from Winn-Dixie’s donation will go to the Michael R. Boh Center for Child Development, which offers

A generous matching grant from the Ella West Freeman Foundation concluded in 2022 and inspired individuals, corporations and foundations to support the Healing Garden.

Empowering students with holistic learning

Beyond therapeutic applications, these gardens can also serve important educational purposes. A $500,000 grant from the Emeril Lagasse Foundation made a culinary garden and teaching kitchen at the Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health

“ At the core of every project we take on is one question: how can we build environments that promote wellness, incorporate nature and offer respite from the hospital walls? ”

— Chris Blackwell, Assistant Vice President of Facilities Planning

The Healing Garden at the Michael R. Boh Center for Child Development will connect the Center for Primary Care and Wellness to the Boh Center building.

The Ties That Bind

Ben Bordelon reflects on a life-changing accident and the friendship that resulted

By Anne Paglia | Photos: Daymon Gardner

When Ben Bordelon first met Stephen Ramee, MD, in 2011, Ben had just been airlifted to Ochsner Health in near-critical condition. Dr. Ramee greeted Ben, Ben’s best friend Dino Chouest and the AirMed team on the helicopter pad before escorting Ben to the emergency room.

“This big, tall, gray haired guy comes up to me and says, ‘Hey, I’m Dr. Ramee. Are you friends with Dino?’” Ben recalled. “I said, ‘Yep.’ He said, ‘Well, good, I’m gonna take care of you.’”

Dr. Ramee, Medical Director of the Structural and Valvular Heart Center at Ochsner, strives to treat all of his patients like family, as demonstrated by his relationship with Ben. He recalled their first encounter similarly. A longtime friend of Ben’s godfather, “Uncle” Gary Chouest, Dr. Ramee received a call right after Ben was taken to the hospital.

“Immediately upon Ben’s accident—in the middle of the night—Gary called me to say he was being airlifted from the bayou to New Orleans,” Dr. Ramee said. “I immediately jumped into the car and headed to Ochsner so that I would be there when Ben arrived.”

Despite having just met Ben that day, Dr. Ramee promised to guide him through every step of treatment. Looking back on the experience 12 years later, Ben sees Dr. Ramee not only as his head coach, directing the team that would lead him to recovery, but also as a friend and guardian angel. “He said, ‘I’m gonna make sure you’re taken care of. I know a lot of people here,’” Ben recalled. “And that was the start of our relationship.”

“When I shared with Ben that I was a cardiologist, he looked at me with big eyes and said, ‘I don’t need a cardiologist—I need an orthopedic surgeon!’” Dr. Ramee added. “Needless to say, a beautiful friendship was born.”

A fateful February night

Born and raised in Louisiana, and a graduate of LSU, Ben returned to the area after playing professional football for the San Diego Chargers. His life after football looked more routine: he married, had kids and started a career in the shipbuilding business. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting. Ben had frequented the same hunting camp since he was a child, driving up the dirt road and over the small bridge that led to the camp countless times.

February 2009 was no different. Ben spent a day hunting with friends, and stayed behind to lock the gate after everyone left. “We drew straws on who was going to close it,” Ben said. “I drew the short straw that night.”

After locking up, Ben began the drive home. “I was probably going too fast when I came upon the bridge,” he said. “My buddy Charles was on the

phone, and had stopped in the middle of the dirt road in his truck. I had to either hit him or go around him. I decided to go around him.”

As Ben maneuvered around Charles, his truck hit tractor ruts in the road and flipped. Ben was ejected through the vehicle’s side window. After a brief period of unconsciousness, he woke up under his truck, staring at his transmission. His leg was stuck under the rim of one of the wheels.

When Ben’s friend couldn’t find him, he phoned the rest of their hunting group to come back and search. After locating him, they called an ambulance—but even

Ben Bordelon, President and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards

the first responders didn’t know how to free him from the truck. “Fortunately, I got some big friends,” Ben said. “They lifted up the truck just enough and slid me out.”

With advice from Charles’s father, an obstetrician who delivered all three of Ben’s kids, Ben’s mother decided to move Ben to Ochsner’s main campus.

the ICU and many more months of physical therapy, he was on the path to recovery,” Dr. Ramee said.

In physical therapy, Ben had to overcome nerve issues in his right leg, which stopped working properly and required him to use a cane. But eventually, Ben rounded the corner on his recovery. “One day my leg started working again and physical therapy ramped up dramatically,” he said.

The road to recovery

When Ben arrived at Ochsner St. Anne in Raceland, La., the emergency room doctor was waiting for him.. After taking several scans and doing an examination, the doctor identified a number of injuries, including a punctured lung, multiple fractured ribs, broken shoulder blades and a broken spine and pelvis. It was clear that Ben needed intensive care— and with his wife, Gemi, at his in-law’s house in north Louisiana, his mother had to decide whether to transfer him to another hospital.

“My 16-year-old son had a complication when he was born,” Ben said. “We had to AirMed him to the NICU. That was my introduction to Ochsner as an adult.”

As fate would have it, Ben was also airlifted to Ochsner—and when he arrived, Dr. Ramee was waiting. That night marked the beginning of a long stay at the hospital with Gemi by his side as his main caregiver. Ben developed pneumonia due to his punctured lung, delaying other necessary procedures. Once he recovered, Ben was ready to undergo pelvic surgery, and was also treated for road rash, broken ribs, a broken sternum and blood clotting—the latter addressed by Dr. Ramee. Finally, after seven weeks, Ben was discharged from the hospital and started physical therapy—only to find himself back at Ochsner’s main campus twice with blood clotting issues.

“Ben was not in great shape when he arrived at Ochsner, but after multiple surgeries, many months in

Dr. Ramee helped him through many challenges of recovery. Like Ben, Dr. Ramee liked to exercise and keep active. Ben’s back pain was initially overshadowed by his other ailments, but after starting therapy, he noticed it more. While Ben was considering surgery, Dr. Ramee advised him to simply develop his core strength. Skeptical, Ben started doing kettlebell workouts, planks and other core exercises.

“Two weeks later, my back doesn’t hurt—what the heck?” Ben laughed. “Even to this day, my back still hurts sometimes, but it’s typically when I’m being lazy. It’s an alarm clock to exercise and take care of myself.”

Focus on family

After a year of physical therapy, Ben was finally recovered. Today, he jokes that the accident itself was the only thing that went wrong. “After that, I had the best care possible,” he said. “I’m about as normal as I could be for a 48-year-old man who played football and was in a car accident.”

While over a decade has passed, Ben often thinks about the accident. “I came back and looked at my young kids and thought, ‘Geez, that was close.’ It definitely made me reconsider some of my thoughts, commitments and how I spend my time. From a long-term standpoint, it’s made me appreciate my family and friends a lot more. I’m probably a little kinder with some of my comments, too,” he laughed.

Stephen Ramee, MD, Medical Director of the Structural and Valvular Heart Center at Ochsner

“ Having world-class care, treatment and team members at Ochsner—I’ll always and forever be grateful for that. ”

— Ben Bordelon

Ben Bordelon’s Story

Ben savors the moments he can spend with his family. He’s watched his children follow in his footsteps: his oldest son plays football at LSU, his younger son recently signed to the team and his daughter is preparing to graduate and enroll in law school. “I wouldn’t have had an opportunity to see all of that,” Ben said.

He’s also grateful for his wife, Gemi, who was there every day of his recovery. “It definitely brought us closer together and in many regards made our marriage a lot stronger,” he said. “I feel blessed every day that I’m here and able to do the things we do.”

A lasting bond

Ben and his family remain extremely grateful to Dr. Ramee for the guidance he offered during Ben’s treatment and recovery. “There’s no question that my life wouldn’t be the same if he wasn’t in it,” Ben said. “I might not even be here, who knows. That was our beginning bond, and then we just continued the relationship after that.”

The pair still keep in touch to this day, calling and texting every so often to catch up. “Even though he is a very busy businessman and family man, Ben calls me on the anniversary of his accident every year to thank me,” Dr. Ramee said. “He knows he can call me anytime he, his family or his employees need anything

have had a front seat to the power philanthropy can play in transforming the way we deliver health care to our heart patients,” Dr. Ramee said.

For Ben, the accident reinforced that life always brings challenges. The key to overcoming them is hard work, perseverance and having a goal that makes the tough times worthwhile. “In football, you go through a lot of pain,” Ben said. “You ask yourself: is this worth it? You learn how to push yourself to a different level than others.”

While Ben’s football days are behind him, this mentality remains. “It was a challenging time but I never once thought I

therapy, Ben remembered walking on a treadmill in a harness. He told his trainer he’d be running soon. When he did, the trainer laughed. “He said, ‘Well, you definitely proved me wrong!’” Ben recalled.

Dr. Ramee, on the other hand, remembers Ben’s composure over the course of his treatment. “Ben is one of the most stoic and brave men I have ever met,” he said. “He faced his injuries and recovery with the confidence and steadfastness of a man who believes in a higher power. Ben and his family and friends are the reason that I became a physician many years ago. I derive so much more from our relationship than I give because they are such a loving and giving family.”

While Ben’s treatment is long over, he emerged from it with a lifelong friend, a renewed perspective on life, and an appreciation for the team that helped him get back on his feet and home to his family.

Ben and his family also show their gratitude by annually supporting the John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute through a sponsorship for the Red Tie Affair.

“Over the course of my career, I

wouldn’t get better,” he said. “I didn’t really have an option: I had three young kids. I was really hitting my stride in work and was ready to get back home. It was just a matter of overcoming all the obstacles.”

Reflecting on his days in physical

“Sometimes the accident seems close and sometimes it seems really far away, but it’s a great success story of a misfortunate situation,” Ben said. “Having world-class care, treatment and team members at Ochsner—I’ll always and forever be grateful for that.”

“ I derive so much more from our relationship than I give because they are such a loving and giving family. ”

— Stephen Ramee, MD

medical and that I am willing and able to help him.”

Ben Bordelon and Stephen Ramee, MD

The Path to Heart Health

By Patricia Boehm | Photo: Staci Brimer

If you were to meet Rose Pietri today, you might have a hard time believing that she was diagnosed with heart failure just over a year ago. At the time of her diagnosis, Rose couldn’t walk from her sofa to the front door without experiencing extreme shortness of breath. Now, she is regaining control over her health and life after completing Ochsner Health’s Heart Failure Transitional Clinic Program.

Patients in the program receive a personalized care plan, including a health chart and series of appointments with Ochsner cardiologists, dieticians and social workers. Through the Heart Transplant Patient Assistance fund, patients like Rose can also get tools to track their health, like a blood pressure cuff and scale.

“I’m still filling out my chart,” Rose said. “It’s been great knowing that I can take control of my health.”

Thanks to the generosity of donors like you and the support of her care team, Rose has resumed her previous activities and enjoys greater peace of mind.

“I don’t have to worry about my health like I did

before,” she said. “Nothing stops me from following my normal routine.”

To hear Rose in her own words, please scan this code to watch a video.

The Baton Rouge Patient Assistance Fund

Without insurance coverage or sufficient financial resources, receiving medical care can be an extremely stressful experience. This is especially true for non-native English speakers who face the added challenge of a

language barrier. For one patient, the Baton Rouge Patient Assistance Fund helped navigate this difficult scenario.

As an undocumented patient without access to health insurance, the patient was unable to afford the four medications she needed for discharge from the hospital. The Baton Rouge Patient Assistance Fund covered the cost of all four medications, close to $150, so that the patient could safely return home.

“The Patient Assistance Fund is such an important component of our discharge planning process,” said Jamie Ruh, Director of Case Management. “This program allows us to assist patients with limited resources, ensuring they have the medications or equipment they need to discharge safely.” In turn, this fund has the potential to minimize readmission and improve health outcomes. “We have an opportunity to reduce the possibility of readmission by giving patients what they need, when they need it,” Jamie said.

Rose Pietri, a successful participant of Ochsner’s Heart Failure Transitional Clinic program

Photo: Elizabeth Burris

Jamie Ruh, Director of Case Management for OMC-Baton Rouge

Memories Live On at the Ochsner Neuroscience Institute

How the Ochsner Neuroscience Institute has inspired the Suquet family to raise awareness through their donations

By George Menz | Photo: Staci Brimer

José Suquet has led a distinguished career. As CEO and Chairman of the Board of Pan-American Life Insurance Group, he’s overseen a billion-dollar company for close to 18 years—and for 14 years, he’s also been on the board of directors of Ochsner Health.

“I’ve had the opportunity to see the hospital firsthand,” José said, “and how much progress we’ve made to improve the quality of outcomes for patients.”

Originally from New York, José has become a fixture of the New Orleans community. He and his wife, Ileana, love the city and the Gulf South region, and by joining the board at Ochsner, José has brought his family to the center of one of New Orleans’s most beloved institutions.

In the past six years, the Suquets have made notable contributions to one particular area of Ochsner’s work: the Ochsner Neuroscience Institute. The Institute offers care to patients of all ages suffering from neurological conditions— ranging from headaches and migraines to epilepsy and dementia. The expert doctors and nurses bring their education and experience to bear in treating patients, and they hope to do more in the future.

“They have a great mission, great leadership and some incredible plans,” José said. “Not only in terms of expanding the number of doctors and programs, but actually building an entirely new facility. We’re really proud to be a part of it.”

With the Suquet family’s contribution, Ochsner will build a state-of-the-art Neuro Rehabilitation Center, helping

activities, speech therapy, pain management, community support groups, vocational counseling, and many more.

Cutting-edge holistic care

When making their initial pledge, the Suquets were particularly impressed by the cutting-edge knowledge and research the Institute had on its side. “They came to us with a lot of information with regards to what was happening in the science at the time,” Ileana said. “That gave me great hope.”

The Ochsner Neuroscience Institute is the only facility of its kind in the Gulf South, and plays an essential role in serving the neurological issues that affect the community. As people live longer, certain neurological conditions, like dementia, become more common, and require treatment and long-term care. The Gulf South didn’t have a facility that could address this wide range of conditions before the Neuroscience Institute was established. Especially important to the Suquets was the holistic approach Ochsner takes to providing care: offering support not only to patients, but to their families and caregivers. “I know how much it can take from the family and the caregiver,” Ileana

said. “Getting that holistic approach was what sold us.”

A personal connection to neuroscience

The Suquet’s own experience with neurological and cognitive conditions

car, she started talking to me. I asked her, ‘Who am I?’ She said, ‘My husband.’”

It was an immensely distressing moment when José realized that his mother would not be able to live on her own. It was at that time that his family helped her move into the Palace, a care facility in Miami. “They took very good care of her, but she lived a terrible last year and a half,” José said.

gives them a personal stake in the Institute’s mission. In the final years of her life, José’s mother, Isabel, suffered from severe memory loss and cognitive decline.

“I still vividly remember,” José said, “I went to visit her in Miami and see my aunt and uncle. She must have been about 84 at the time. We spent an hour visiting and talking. When we got in the

He regularly visited his mother, first flying from New York and then from New Orleans after he took on the role of CEO of Pan-American. Describing the final hours of her life, he chose to focus on the immense strength and unity that his

(continued on page 17)

At left: José and Ileana Suquet. Below: Rendering of the Suquet Family Therapy and Wellness Center. Image courtesy of B|W|B|R Architects

“

I believe that we will find betterment for the lives of people that suffer from this and the lives of their loved ones and caregivers. ”

— José Suquet

A Rainbow Over the NICU

Generous donors provide comfort for grieving families throughout Acadiana

By George Menz | Photo: Jamie Orillion

Losing a child at birth or shortly after is an experience that no family wants to endure. The families in the NICU often face impossible choices and moments of intense pain. For Catherine and Bobby Brignac, the experience of losing their daughter motivated them to provide comfort for other families.

For some, childbirth can serve as an opportunity to give back to others in need. Premature infants and those with certain health conditions require additional care, such as incubators or surgery, which they receive in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Out of grief, gifts

“The contributions of donors have been a tremendous asset to the NICUs across Ochsner Health,” said Nancy Broadhurst, Executive Director of Ochsner Lafayette General Foundation. Among the contributors are the Brignacs, who have donated four CuddleCots to hospitals in Acadiana. CuddleCots are devices used internationally to allow parents to spend precious time with their baby when every moment counts.

“By cooling the baby, the device allows parents to spend more time with their baby before having to say goodbye,” Nancy said.

For the Brignacs, who lost their daughter Bowie Nicks in 2021, the device offered them a measure of comfort in the midst of their grief. “If we didn’t have that, then we wouldn’t have been able to spend as much time with our daughter,” Catherine said. “We found that the CuddleCot played a huge role in our grieving journey. We wanted to make sure the next family to experience this didn’t have to go without.”

“You don’t really know about a lot of things until you go through it yourself,” Catherine said. “You physically have to experience something, good or bad,

before you really start to push for it, and try to make a difference.”

Sharing this grief, and offering other families the opportunity to do the same, is one of the motivating factors that led the Brignacs to establish the Rainbowie Foundation (rainbowiefoundation. org), through which they’ve donated CuddleCots to numerous hospitals, including Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center.

As Acadiana residents, their mission is to fill every Louisiana hospital with an ample supply of CuddleCots, and Ochsner LGMC was top of the list. “It was kind of a no-brainer to reach out,” Catherine said. “They have a good reputation and are well-known and liked for their friendliness.” Having built a good relationship with the company that makes CuddleCots, they hope to be able to provide the devices to hospitals across the country, and continue to spread comfort.

Sharing a story and leaving a Legacy

For Catherine, being able to share her story has been a huge part of her grieving process. She hopes that others will be able to find the same comfort through

shared expression. “One piece of advice I’d give anyone is: talk about it,” she said.

“Acknowledge your feelings and what’s going on. You have a right to feel those feelings and go through those emotions. Once you start talking about it, it gives everyone else confidence to talk about their experience, too.”

While she acknowledged that grief never truly goes away, she expressed gratitude for the immense support she has found and been able to provide to others. “You can find some beautiful things in it,” Catherine said. “You meet many people along the way and go through experiences you wouldn’t have gone through without grief.”

For the Brignacs, their grief fostered an amazing strength and the drive to help others overcome their own struggles. Sharing their story of unimaginable loss and providing CuddleCots for other families has helped them cope and inspired acts of great compassion. Thanks to the generosity from the Brignacs and other contributors like them, families experiencing hardship and grief will find greater support while at the same time honoring the memory of Bowie Nicks Brignac.

The Ochsner Lafayette General team with the Cuddle Cots from Catherine Brignac. From Left: Renee Delahoussaye, CNO, Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center; Nancy Broadhurst, Executive Director, Ochsner Lafayette General Foundation; Catherine Brignac, founder, Rainbowie Foundation; Leslie Ruiz, Kristen Thibodeaux, Meagan Daigle and Alexis Tregre, RNs in the Ochsner LGMC NICU.

By the Numbers

As our network of physicians, nurses and administrators continues to grow—so do our awards at Ochsner Health. From recognition as one of the top hospitals in the nation, to our work in creating positive outcomes and patient successes, the 2022-23 year was no exception. Here are some of the year’s highlights by the U.S. News & World Report at a glance.

11th Year In A Row

23 High Performing Rankings

OMC has distinguished ranking in the following procedures and conditions:

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair, Aortic Valve Surgery, Colon Cancer Surgery, COPD, Diabetes, Heart Failure, Heart Attack, Hip Fracture, Hip Replacement, Kidney Failure, Knee Replacement, Lung Cancer Surgery, Pneumonia, Prostate Cancer Surgery, Stroke, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and Uterine Cancer Surgery.

Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans (OMC), including its Baptist and West Bank campuses, have been named the Best Hospital in Louisiana.

50+ Accolades

Ochsner Health and its partners are recognized as part of the annual review by the U.S. News & World Report.

6th Year In A Row

This year, Ochsner Hospital for Children ranked in Cardiology and Heart Surgery, Gastroenterology and GI Surgery and Orthopedics by the U.S. News & World Report, which makes us the only hospital in Louisiana to rank in three specialties in one year.

Ranked #43

For Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialty. In addition, five specialties ranked in the nation’s top 10 percent: Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Pulmonology & Lung Surgery and Urology.

Gardens of Ochsner

Sciences Academy possible—helping the school join the national “ground-to-plate” education initiative.

“Partnering with Ochsner meant a lot to us,” Brian Kish, President of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, said. “We sought partners who were equally committed to our mission, and Discovery stood out to us right away as a school equally invested in inspiring, mentoring and enabling youth to reach their full potential.”

Established in 2016, Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen program integrates gardening and cooking concepts into school curriculums, creating an interactive, food-centered learning environment. Teachers at partnering schools receive specialized training to integrate the curriculum into their classrooms and complement the work of

garden and kitchen instructors provided by the foundation.

“Students benefit from learning both academic and soft skills,” Katie Mularz, Program Director at Emeril Lagasse Foundation, explained. “We’ve noticed that students with developmental disabilities are especially able to bloom, stimulating different parts of their brain, improving their motor skills and applying their knowledge to real-world applications. Their experience in the garden and kitchen means absorbing lifelong skills too, from independence and self-confidence to patience, respect and

how to behave safely in a space.”

The impact at Ochsner has been noticeable—the Ochsner Discovery School has empowered 584 students with this holistic education, from pre-k to seventh grade.

And this impact extends to the entire community. “In New Orleans specifically, we have an opportunity to change people’s health outcomes based on what they’re putting in their bodies and how they’re interacting with nutrition— beginning with our youngest community members,” Brian said. “Students bring these experiences and recipes back

to their families, improving how their parents, uncles, cousins or others interact with food and their health.”

Paving the way for a healthier future

From the Tansey Healing Garden outside of the Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center to the indoor Winter Garden at OMC-New Orleans and the Walking Paths at Covington and Baton Rouge clinics, Ochsner is dedicated to building more healing spaces across its campuses.

New projects are already underway, including the healing garden sponsored by the Helis Foundation in the courtyard of the new Robert J. and Debra H. Patrick Neuroscience Center.

But between calming fountains, flowers, cobblestone pathways and gravel entryways lies a more important foundation: a community-wide commitment to lifting people up and giving them the space they need to reach their full potential and healthiest selves.

The Tansey Healing Garden is located outside of the Benson Cancer Center at OMC-New Orleans. Photo: Lea Witkowski-Purl

“ Their experience in the garden and kitchen means absorbing lifelong skills too, from independence and self-confidence to patience, respect and how to behave safely in a space. ”

— Katie Mularz, Program Director at Emeril Lagasse Foundation

Ochsner Neuroscience Institute

family was able to find in the midst of their grief.

“I kept telling her that Ileana and our sons were going to be there, and she had to hold on,” José said. “Even though she didn’t recognize me, I was convinced she understood something. When they got there, she passed within an hour. I was holding her hand.”

Building a legacy at Ochsner

Although it has been years, the memory of that moment is strong, and has strengthened the bonds in their family. The Suquets’ younger son and his wife are expecting a baby girl who they hope to name Isabel, after his grandmother.

Today, the Suquets hope that their contributions to the Neuroscience Institute will give Ochsner the capacity to give families and caregivers of patients suffering from cognitive decline the support they need to properly care for their loved ones.

“If we’d had that kind of support from the very beginning, I feel that we would have been able to better care for her,” Ileana said. “I would have known not to say things like, ‘You know this,

you can remember.’ She would have been more at ease.”

In 2022, the Neuroscience Institute offered cutting-edge care, clinical trials and medical advances to patients from 44 different states and 31 countries around the world. Patients arrive at the Institute with a wide variety of conditions, and the team treats them with great care and sensitivity, all with the same goal of leading them towards positive outcomes—recovery when possible, and, in other cases, providing the highest quality of life.

“I believe that we will find betterment for the lives of people that suffer from this and the lives of their loved ones and caregivers,” José said. “I hope that our contribution helps accomplish that.”

Making Room for Mental Health

For patients receiving mental health treatment, everyday stressors can negatively impact their well-being and personal progress. Patients may be tasked with completing homework, practicing certain life skills or engaging in self-care in between sessions, but financial constraints, family dynamics and other barriers can often stand in their way. Without these obstacles, patients often find more time and energy to focus on themselves. Ochsner Health’s Behavioral Health Department created the Code Blue Fund with this specific goal in mind.

“Mental health treatment doesn’t only occur in the office or during a session with a provider,” said Lisa Gentry, Assistant Vice President of Behavioral Health at Ochsner Health. “There’s a lot of work that’s done outside of those sessions as well.”

Supported entirely by donors, the Code Blue Psychiatry Patient Assistance Fund covers a range of expenses that prevent patients from focusing on their mental health, from preventing electricity loss by paying overdue bills or providing groceries for their family to paying first month’s rent for a group home post-hospital discharge. With these needs met, patients are better able to cope with the stresses of daily life and focus on their well-being. “One of the greatest needs the Code Blue Fund provides is hope,” Lisa said.

To learn more about the Code Blue Fund, please scan this code.

Rendering of the Suquet Family Therapy and Wellness Center. Image courtesy of B|W|B|R Architects

Bridging the Gap for Transplant Patients

For many transplant patients, the stress of a medical procedure pales in comparison to the fear of not being able to afford the care they need. The stakes are particularly high if a patient loses their insurance coverage, and is unable to pay for life-saving medications. Additionally, patients have to worry about the cost of their accommodations for post-op care, especially if they’re traveling from out of town.

The Greg Smith Fund provides a critical bridge for transplant patients until their insurance coverage kicks in. For one patient, this fund made all the difference during the two-week period between their surgery and insurance activation. The patient’s outcome would not have been successful if they didn’t have access to the medicine they needed, made possible by the Greg Smith Fund.

“This fund saves lives,” Surveen K. Klein, Transplant Supervisor at the Ochsner Transplant Institute said. “Over the years, accessing the Greg Smith Fund has

given countless transplant patients a brief period to create a new plan to afford their critical transplant medications. Thanks to our generous donors, this essential resource ensures we can continue delivering care to the patients who need it most amid unexpected life challenges.”

Since its inception in 1984, Ochsner’s team of renowned physicians, surgeons, transplant nurses and support specialists have successfully performed over 8,000 life-saving liver, kidney, pancreas, lung and heart transplants. This number includes surgeries performed through our living organ donor programs, including the Living Donor Liver Transplant Program and Living Kidney Donor Program. We are proud to be the most active and experienced transplant center in the Gulf South region.

Guiding Patients and Staff Through Ethical Decision-Making

Photo: John Weaver

Ochsner is committed to respecting the beliefs and wishes of our patients, their families and our staff. The Bioethics Committee at each of our hospitals provides information, guidelines and advice to the medical staff, hospital personnel, patients and patients’ representatives to support informed decision-making on bioethical issues. The advice may be patient-specific or issue-specific.

Medical ethical concerns may arise when there is conflict between what patients, their family or health care providers believe to be “right” in taking care of the patient. A Medical Ethics consult may help resolve your concerns. Recently donor support provided funding for collaborating with the Center for Practical Bioethics in Kansas City. This collaboration allows us access to comprehensive training programs for continuing education including interactive webinars, skill development workshops, policy development strategies and online discussion as well as Ethics professionals to assist our own ethics teams. We are also members of the Ethics Committee Consortium, a group of more than 20 healthcare organizations who meet regularly to educate, develop policies and consult on complex cases.

We are also sponsoring a Grand Rounds on March 17, 2023, in Monroe Hall and by Zoom, “Navigating Moral Distress in Caring for Cognitively Vulnerable Patients.” The speakers are Lauren R. Sankary, JD, MA, Neuroethics Staff, Neurological Institute, Associate Director, Neuroethics Program Cleveland Clinic Center for Bioethics and Georgina Morley, PhD, Nurse Ethicist, Cleveland Clinic.

To see the full episode featuring Dr. Nelson, scan this code to watch the podcast.

Susan Nelson, MD, System Chair, Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care and Bioethics, Ochsner Health contributing to a podcast episode entitled “Ethics of Life and Death Decisions”

The Edward D. Frohlich, MD, Memorial Lecture and Professorship

By Anne Paglia | Photo courtesy of Ochsner Marketing and Communications

Some physicians transform not only the lives of their patients but also the field at large. With his lasting contributions to the world’s understanding and treatment of hypertension, the late Edward Frohlich, MD, is one of those physicians.

Dr. Frohlich first arrived at Ochsner Health in 1976 as the Vice President for Education and Research. For over 40 years, he worked as a cardiologist on staff at Ochsner Clinic, receiving the honorary title of Alton Ochsner Distinguished Scientist.

In addition to being a beloved colleague, Dr. Frohlich was a prolific researcher. He published over 1,100 peer reviewed scientific papers, chapters, editorials and textbooks throughout his career. He also served on the editorial board of a number of peer reviewed scientific journals, including as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine and Editor of Hypertension. He served in leadership positions on national scientific advisory committees and scientific societies including serving as president of the Council on High Blood Pressure Research of the American Heart Association and president of the International Society of Hypertension.

“Dr. Frohlich was named an honorary alumnus at Ochsner in 2017 to recognize his extraordinary contribution to cardiovascular research and advancing the field of medicine,” said Helen Zito, Director of Alumni Affairs at Ochsner.

hypertensive cardiovascular disease and ushering in a new era of research excellence at Ochsner.

After Dr. Frolich’s passing in 2019, the Edward D. Frohlich, MD, Endowed Professorship and a lectureship sponsored by the Ochsner Alumni Association were independently established in his honor. Together, the professorship and lectureship help sustain Dr. Frohlich’s achievements in clinical care, mentorship and research. Thanks to your support, more than $400,000 in memory of Dr. Frohlich and his distinguished legacy will support research and mentorship at Ochsner in perpetuity.

Dr. Frohlich leaves behind a legacy of mentorship that began as a mentee of Edward Freis, MD, an early leader in hypertension research. Later in his career, Dr. Frolich mentored countless colleagues, including Hector Ventura, MD, who had a remarkable career at Ochsner, sharing his groundbreaking understanding of

“It is humbling to work in the shadows of giants like Dr. Frohlich,” Christopher White, MD, MACC, MSCAI, FAHA, FESC, FACP, System Chair for Cardiovascular Diseases and Medical Director for the Centers of Excellence and Servicelines said. “This is a small way we can recognize his achievements.”

Edward D. Frohlich, MD

“ It is humbling to work in the shadows of giants like Dr. Frohlich. This is a small way we can recognize his achievements. ”

— Christopher White, MD

A Life Well-Lived: Honoring The Enduring Legacy Of Margaret Jenkins

A tribute to the remarkable, centennial life of a longtime Ochsner patient whose generosity continues to advance medical research and patient care

By Olivia Watson | Photo courtesy of the Jenkins family

The sky was the limit for Margaret Lorenzen Jenkins—a larger-than-life personality and among the first female air traffic controllers in the U.S. during World War II. Stationed in the control towers of Fort Worth, Texas, Margaret immediately made her mark in a room full of men.

“I remember asking her what it was like,” her niece Sally Jenkins shared. “Margaret laughed wryly and said ‘I was outnumbered.’” But that didn’t stop her from later becoming the highest ranking woman in her section of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and earning a government service evaluation of 14 (the highest ranking being 18). When other women were furloughed and issued out of government service after the war, Margaret was called back to her role and continued rising up the ranks.

Her life later brought her to New Orleans, where she was stationed at an early metropolitan airport. She lived in the French Quarter for many years and discovered Ochsner Health, the place she would entrust with her care for the rest of her life, even after she moved away.

A lifetime of loyalty to Ochsner

“Margaret was a patient of Ochsner for decades,” Craig Bardell, Director of Planned Gifts, shared. “She was coming to

us almost as early as our records go back.”

Margaret fell in love with William “Mack” Jenkins, a civil engineer for the FAA who was also stationed in Fort Worth. When they married, Ochsner quickly became a community for the both of them. It wasn’t just a doctor’s appointment—it was a fun trip to New Orleans, the place they loved, and an opportunity to see people they had built meaningful relationships with every year for their annual check-ups. Together, they decided to give back to the hospital throughout their lives.

“They established a charitable remainder trust to support medical research at Ochsner, and that trust paid them a steady stream of income for almost 25 years,” Craig explained. Ochsner received a gift from the trust, close to $60,000, as well as a bequest in Margaret’s will.

When Mack died in 2003, Margaret continued giving to the organization.“It’s uncommon that a patients leave a significant remainder of their estates to Ochsner,” Craig said. “But Ochsner meant a lot to both Margaret and Mack—it was like a second home,” Craig said.

An inspiring legacy

Despite living independently well into her mid-90s, Margaret’s health began to decline when she was diagnosed with

dementia. “She was fiercely independent and wanted to manage everything on her own, but still trusted Ochsner to deliver the best care,” Sally said.

“I had the pleasure of seeing Margaret on her final visit to Ochsner, before she moved into a nursing home,” Craig shared. “She had a little trouble walking, so we gave her a bright red scooter to ride around campus that day—you should have seen the way her face lit up with joy.” Her passion for life was palpable.

For Craig and the rest of the Ochsner community, patients like Margaret are the heart of the hospital. “She was a wonderful friend to this organization, putting her trust in Ochsner’s caregivers for decades,” he said. “We could not be more grateful to Margaret and Mack for supporting a new generation of patients, advancing medical research and furthering Ochsner’s mission to deliver top-tier care.”

In the final years of Margaret’s life, Sally became her primary caretaker. Sally fondly remembers discussions with her aunt about her life and service to her country. “She had these moments of clarity,” she shared. “Even at 100 years old, with dementia, it seemed like her brain was still so powerful.”

Among these stories, one stands out as a testament to Margaret’s courageous spirit and intelligence. When she was working as an air traffic controller in Fort Worth, Margaret and her male colleagues competed to guess how long it would take a plane to travel between point A and B. Amid engineers and scientists, Margaret won with the most accurate guess.

After a lifetime of service to her country and the people she loved, Margaret’s final wish was to continue living her best life—and to look good while doing it. “When I told Margaret she was about to turn 100 years old, she couldn’t believe it,” Sally said. “And then she replied: ‘Well I’ll have to get a new wardrobe then.’”

Margaret Jenkins as an air traffic controller after World War II during her career with the Federal Aviation Administration.

“ We could not be more grateful to Margaret and Mack for supporting a new generation of patients, advancing medical research and furthering Ochsner’s mission to deliver top-tier care. ”

— Craig Bardell, Director of Planned Gifts

Glimpses

Celebrating Community Success

2022 was a bright year for Ochsner Health. The community continued to bring together patients and practitioners to benefit important initiatives at events like the Moonlight & Miracles Gala for the Ochsner Cancer Institute, while aspiring healthcare professionals reached new heights at The University of Queensland Ochsner Clinical School’s graduation in November.

Here’s a glimpse into the important events that shaped 2022:

Since 2013, the Moonlight & Miracles Gala has generated funds to benefit Ochsner

Cancer Institute patients and programs at comprehensive cancer centers, located throughout New Orleans, Baton Rouge and the Northshore. Marking its 10th year and a return to an in-person celebration, the Moonlight & Miracles Gala was chaired by Mrs. Gayle Benson.

following the award presentation.

Pictured above: Robert Hart, MD, Pete November, Gayle Benson and Mike Hulefeld. Pictured below: Chris Theodossiou, MD, 2022 Miracle Maker, with his Ochsner team

The inaugural Ochsner Open was held on November 18, 2022, at TCP Louisiana, presented by the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans to benefit the Department of Orthopedics and Ochsner Andrews Institute of Sports Medicine. Pictured left: Ashton Hayward, George Chimento, MD, James Andrews, MD, Deryk Jones, MD, Mike Hulefeld, Pete November, Chad Henderson. Pictured right: William Nelson, George Chimento, MD, Lock Ochsner, MD, David Gaines, Edgar Bright and Richard Wolcott.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists Ochsner Alumni

Reception, hosted by Drs. Allison and Wes Clark, was held on Friday, October 21, 2022, in Metairie to connect Ochsner Alumni who attended the ASA conference in New Orleans. Pictured above: David Broussard, MD and Mrs. Melissa Broussard, Brian McClure, MD, Mrs. Ami Falterman and Jason Falterman, MD, Kelly Ural, MD, Sharon Couch, MD, and Chris Couch, MD. Photo: Helen Zito.

The University of Queensland Ochsner Clinical School honored its 2022 graduating class on Saturday, November 19 , 2022, at The Jefferson Performing Arts Center. Students and faculty attended the ceremony along with family, friends and other guests.

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

Friday, March 24, 2023

Windsor Court • 6:00 p.m.

Benefitting the John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute

Friday, September 22, 2023

The Sugar Mill • 6:00 p.m.

Benefitting Ochsner Hospital for Children

Friday, October 20, 2023

TPC Louisiana • 7:00 a.m.

Benefitting Ochsner Hospital for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

November 2023

Caesars Superdome

Benefitting Ochsner Cancer Institute

If you would like more information about Ochsner special events or to become a sponsor, please scan this code.