FreeWill

A Will & A Way

A partnership between Ochsner Health and FreeWill gives patients a fast and convenient way to create — and protect — their legacy.

Contributed by Craig Bardell

Shape the future of healthcare, while planning for your future, all from your couch.

Looking for a way to change and save lives forever? Ochsner Health has partnered with FreeWill to give our supporters an online resource to write a legally valid will in under 25 minutes for free.

An AARP survey shows that 60% of Americans lack a will or estate plan, which can cause unnecessary difficulty for families after losing a loved one. As a way to thank our benefactors, and to provide them with the tools to complete their plans, Ochsner is pleased to provide this service without cost or obligation.

You can easily use the resource to make a gift for the future of Ochsner that costs nothing today. A gift in your will could provide quality, affordable healthcare for communities across Louisiana and the gulf south for generations to come. Your gift can provide a needy patient with assistance, support innovative medical research, or fund a critical, lifesaving program. The service is 100% free whether or not you choose to include a gift, but we hope you consider creating a legacy with Ochsner.

Go to FreeWill.com/Ochsner so that you can create your legacy today. We also have other resources to help you support Ochsner with a gift of stock or through an IRA.

If you have any questions about using FreeWill or making a Planned Gift to Ochsner, please contact Craig Bardell at craig. bardell@ochsner.org.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Adapted from original recipe in Eat Fit Cookbook by Ben Mclauchlin of Swerve

Makes 12 peanut butter cups

Peanut Butter Filling ½ cup no-sugar-added creamy peanut butter ¼ cup cacao butter, melted ¼ cup Swerve Confectioners 1½ teaspoons sea salt 2 tablespoons dried carrot powder

For the Chocolate Coating ¾ cup coconut oil, melted ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons Swerve Confectioners

Time Saver Tip: Use natural food coloring, adding drops of red and yellow to the peanut butter filling until it reaches a bright orange hue. In a mini-muffin pan, place liners into 24 cups. Set aside. Make the Peanut Butter Filling: Whisk together melted cacao butter and carrot powder and set aside (the longer the carrots and melted cacao butter are together, the more orange-hued the filling will be). After about 15 minutes, add peanut butter, Swerve, and sea salt to cacao mixture. Prepare the Chocolate Coating: Whisk together melted coconut oil, cocoa powder, and Swerve in a medium bowl. Spoon 1 tablespoon of chocolate mixture into each muffin liner. Freeze for 5 minutes, until mixture is no longer shiny on top. Remove muffin pan from freezer and add 1 tablespoon of peanut butter mixture on top of frozen chocolate coating. Return pan to freezer for 5-10 minutes. After mixture has set, remove pan from freezer and add ½ tablespoon of the remaining chocolate mixture to each cup, covering the peanut butter layer. Freeze for 5-10 minutes until completely frozen. Store in fridge or freezer in an airtight container. Per serving (1 peanut butter cup): 120 calories, 12 grams fat, 7 grams saturated fat (all plant-based), 120 mg sodium, 6.5 grams carbohydrate (2 grams net carbs), 1.5 grams fiber, <1 gram sugar (0 added sugar), 2 grams protein, gluten free, low carb, vegan.

Mary Lou and Johnny Conrad (right) with Director of Development, Marjory Harper (left) at a tour of the Ochsner Cancer Center expansion on January 27, 2020.

Paulette and Frank Stewart on the Riverview Terrace named in their honor at the expansion.

Natasha (right) and Ronnie (left) Lamarque at the expansion tour.

Rita Mitchell and her son, Bill Mitchell, pose for a photo in front of the donor wall that will honor Rita and her husband, Dr. William Mitchell.

Warner Thomas, President and CEO of Ochsner Health, talks to patrons of the Moonlight & Miracles Gala about the difference they make in cancer care.

Gayle Benson, who has served as Chair for the Moonlight & Miracles Gala since its inception, at the seventh annual event held on Friday, November 8, 2019 at the MercedesBenz Superdome. The event benefits patients and programs at the Ochsner Cancer Institute.

The Rault family celebrates at the event. From left: Bonnie M. Rault, Emily S. Dunleavy, Michael J. Dunleavy, Miles K. Clements, Marilyn Garren and Kittredge Garren.

In October, Louise S. McGhee School held their annual Women’s Health Awareness Week. During this week, students learn about women’s health topics and help raise money to causes that support women’s health. This year, students selected the Ochsner Baptist Women’s Pavilion to receive funds. Three students, Sadie Thorne, Mollie McMichael and Elizabeth Drennan (center) visited Ochsner Baptist to present the funds raised. They are pictured with (from left) Donna Martin, CNO, Ochsner Baptist; Lisa Pellerin, VP of Women’s Services; Christy Migaud, CFO, Ochsner Baptist and Beth Walker, CEO, Ochsner Baptist.

On December 30, 2019, representatives from Unum presented a check to Ochsner Baton Rouge to help provide dental care for patients. Pictured from left: Shavon Knighten, Manager Corporate Social Responsibility, Unum Baton Rouge Region; Burke J. Brooks, MD, Section Head Hematology Oncology, Ochsner Baton Rouge and Vice Chair Hematology Oncology, Ochsner Health; Takeasha Drake, Hematology Oncology Social Worker, Ochsner Baton Rouge; Christy Reeves, Vice President, Regional Community Affairs and Government Relations.