THIBODAUX REGIONAL THRIVES IN DIFFICULT TIMES
NATURALS RECOVERY ZONE SUPPORTS ATHLETES’ WELLNESS
HEALTHCARE ISSUE
FREE TGMC CARES FOR COMMUNITY AMID PANDEMIC
NOV 2020
PRESORT STD US POSTAGE PAID HOUMA, LA PERMIT NO. 17
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NOVEMBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
PUBLISHER’S NOTE |
NOVEMBER 2020 • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 11
TABLE OF CONTENTS IN EVERY ISSUE:
SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTHCARE: 10
THIBODAUX REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM FINDS INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
04
GOVERNMENT UPDATE
14
YOU ARE NOW ENTERING THE RECOVERY ZONE
06
OIL AND GAS UPDATE
08 20
FROM THE TOP
16
Dr. Matt Porche gives youth athletes the pro treatment
TERREBONNE GENERAL MEDICAL CENTER TAKES CARE OF THE COMMUNITY DURING UNPRECEDENTED TIMES
22 27
Be Like Mike
Constitutional Amendment 2 Dr. Ben Adams
BUSINESS NEWS
LA Groups Announce Contributions to Hurricane Relief Efforts
MOVERS & SHAKERS Headlines and accolades
ON THE AGENDA
Corporate calendar of events
PUBLISHER
Brian Rushing EDITORIAL Mary Ditch EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Drew Miller CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Keely Diebold CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Jennifer Hunter CONTRIBUTING WRITER
CREATIVE Amber Duplantis SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lauren Pontiff GRAPHIC DESIGNER
ADVERTISING Deanne Ratliff DIRECTOR OF SALES Beth Tabor
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Michelle Ortego
CONTACT Publisher: publisher@rushing-media.com
THE HEALTHCARE ISSUE
I
f there is one segment of business that has stepped up to the forefront this year, it’s healthcare. With the novel coronavirus sweeping across our country, our healthcare systems were at the forefront of the battle. Doctors, nurses, therapists, down to the service and janitorial staff of our hospitals were pushed to the edge as healthcare systems were forced to adapt to ensure the safety of our communities. In this month’s issue, we take a closer look at two of our local hospitals and discuss changes and innovative solutions that were employed to keep patients and staff safe, while treating a developing virus. Terrebonne General Medical Center and Thibodaux Regional Health System remain dedicated to the
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communities they serve. Preventative health is always a hot topic. But what about preventative sports medicine? Local chiropractor Dr. Matt Porche introduces us to the Naturals Recovery Zone, focusing on the health and wellbeing of local youth athletes. As one of the largest industries and employment sectors in our area, our healthcare providers are vital to our area. We are thankful to this industry for stepping up this year and keeping our communities safe.
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GOVERNMENT UPDATE |
BY STEPHEN WAGUESPACK, LABI
BE LIKE
NOVEMBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
MIKE
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In October, Louisiana mourned the loss of one of our state’s greatest leaders. Governor Mike Foster was a true original who brought his own unique style and brand of governing to Louisiana’s highest office. While he left politics more than 16 years ago, it’s not very hard to find present reminders of his legacy in every part of our state. It’s safe to say that because of his work, Louisiana today is a much better place to get an education, find a job, start a business and raise a family. If you read through the pages of our history, you’ll find that the Louisiana governorship has often been a job dominated more by the concerns of personality and politics rather than policy and progress. But Mike Foster was different. He broke from the traditional mold and often ignored politics and was indifferent to personality, instead charging to confront the state’s most pressing problems. When he moved out of the Governor’s Mansion in 2004, he left behind a list of landmark achievements that still resonates nearly two decades later. It’s worth remembering that his initial election as governor came only four years after the infamous runoff between Edwin Edwards and David Duke brought national shame and scorn to Louisiana. Citizens were embarrassed after decades of political scandals in Baton Rouge and viewed state government as nothing more than a bureaucratic behemoth that just wasted more tax dollars with each passing year.
After decades of fast dealing and slick talk coming out of the State Capitol, Louisiana voters found the refreshing opposite with Mike Foster. He didn’t speak in soundbites or use polls to determine his positions. If you really wanted to know what he was thinking or where he stood on an issue, all you had to do was ask. What you saw was what you got. Over the years, any time I spoke with him and referred to him as “Governor”, he was always quick to correct me and ask that I just call him Mike. I know countless others would say the same. Mike was always most comfortable at eye level with whomever he was with because he never saw it any other way. While his style was unconventional for politics, citizens appreciated his straightforward, businesslike manner. He thought, spoke and acted like most Louisianans. He grew his beard out for duck season, loved to hunt and was most comfortable in camouflage, even in the office. He did away with a lot of the ceremonies and pomp that traditionally came with the job, choosing instead to focus his attention and efforts elsewhere. And while he did find the time while in office to go to law school at Southern University, get a helicopter pilot’s license and do a lot of riding on his motorcycle, he was still able to produce incredible results for the state. In his inaugural address, his first speech to Louisianans as their governor, Mike Foster pledged that his administration would “reinvent this government.” That
simple charge would define the next eight years and leave Louisiana a much different place than it was when he took office. Governor Foster made unprecedented investments in K-12 education, working tirelessly to raise teacher pay and ensure that more funds made their way to students. He championed education reform, school accountability, and helped create Louisiana’s first charter schools. The TOPS program that he passed ensured that thousands of our state’s most talented students stayed home to attend our colleges and universities. Unsatisfied with the structure of higher education he found, Governor Foster created the Louisiana Community and Technical College System to develop our workforce. He also tackled the challenge of a dysfunctional workers’ compensation system and put it on solid financial footing by spearheading the creation of the Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corporation. He stood up to the politically powerful trial lawyers of the time and passed significant legal reforms that brought Louisiana’s civil justice system more in line with the rest of the country and lowered auto insurance rates for our drivers. Before he got into politics, Mike Foster owned a construction company. As Governor, he turned that professional passion into projects such as the state buildings that now dominate the Baton Rouge skyline and revitalized the Capital
City’s downtown. After years of frustrating delays, I-49 was completed between Lafayette and Shreveport on his watch. He also cared little about politics when it came to personnel. In stark contrast to the divided political world of today, he hired people based on their substance, character and ability to help the state. He gave them the charge, backed them up and got out of their way. After his time in office was up, he didn’t hang around the Capitol or play political kingmaker. He simply stepped aside and moseyed on back to his quiet life down in Franklin. Louisiana is incredibly lucky to have received the service of Mike Foster. At the time we needed not only his results, but also his humble and straightforward honesty about the challenges Louisiana faced and the tremendous opportunities we had before us. His sensible and courageous leadership transformed the state and made us a better place. We need more public servants like him today. If you want to remember Governor Foster, try to emulate the man known simply as “Mike” more in what you do. Stand for what you believe. Surround yourself with smart, good people and let them shine. Be honest and straightforward with people. Serve your state when it needs you and gracefully step aside when it is time to move on. Take risks for the right reasons and avoid making deals for the wrong reasons. In short, just be like Mike.
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NOVEMBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
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OIL & GAS |
OPINION - BY LOUISIANA OIL & GAS ASSOCIATION
NOVEMBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
A
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‘yes’ on Constitutional Amendment 2 would bring fairness and accuracy to the assessment process for Louisiana’s oil and gas wells, assessor and industry representatives agree. Although there are three ways to assess property, (those methods are the ‘cost,’ ‘market’ and ‘income’ methods) the state constitution only includes the use of two for oil and gas wells in Louisiana. CA-2 would include the income approach as the third methodology to value oil and gas wells for property assessment. The income approach values wells based on their ability to produce revenue. Constitutional Amendment 2: • CA-2 received bipartisan, unanimous support in the legislature as HB 360. • CA-2 would result in more accurate assessments of oil and gas wells, while also allowing better predictability of tax revenue. • CA-2 is supported by assessors and
the oil and natural gas industry. • CA-2 would make the income approach available to the Louisiana Tax Commission. It does not mandate its use. • CA-2 would only affect the valuation of oil and gas wells, and will not change the assessment of other types of property. • An amendment is necessary because of the restrictive language in the state constitution prohibiting the use of all three valuation methods for the assessment of oil and gas wells. “Amendment No. 2 is the result of a joint effort of the Assessors and the oil and gas industry, and it is supported by both,” said Belinda Hazel, Plaquemines Parish Assessor and Louisiana Assessors Association Chair of the Oil and Gas Committee. “The passage of Amendment No. 2 is necessary to achieve our unified goal, which is the fair and accurate assessment of oil and gas wells.” “This income approach is the same
method used when wells are valued for sale on the open market,” said Daron Fredrickson, LOGA Tax Committee Chairman. “It’s common sense that this valuation method should be available for property assessment purposes as well.” “The oil and natural gas industry is the backbone of Louisiana’s economy providing jobs and economic benefits throughout our state,” said Tyler Gray, Chair of the Louisiana Taxpayer Protection PAC. “Fair and competitive tax policies at the state level are critical to the economic health of our state.” “This amendment brings a fairness to the assessment process for the oil and gas industry, 90% of which consists of small businesses,” said Mike Moncla, Interim President for the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association. “When independent operators can reliably predict their costs, they can allocate more to supporting and expanding their workforce. Fairness and predicability lead to more investment.”
“When this amendment was a bill, HB 360 breezed through the House committee, it breezed through the House floor, it breezed through the Senate committee, and it breezed through the Senate floor,” Representative Mike Huval said. “It was just a matter of educating all my colleagues in the legislature that all parties affected, both in industry and at the assessors association, agreed that this was a fairer way going forward to assess the value of a producing oil and gas well.” The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association was organized in 1992 to represent the Independent and service sectors of the oil and gas industry in Louisiana; this representation includes exploration, production and oilfield services. LOGA’s primary goal is to provide our industry with a working environment that will enhance the industry.
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NOVEMBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
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FROM THE TOP |
QUICK QUESTIONS FOR THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR WORK: WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB? Aside from taking care of patients and performing interesting procedures, I get to wear scrubs everyday.
WHAT IS THE HARDEST? The hardest part of the job is dealing with emotionally draining situations and having difficult end of life conversations with patients and families.
IS THERE ANYTHING NEW ON THE HORIZON? Medicine is constantly changing. Currently we are improving techniques to minimize the use of opiates yet still provide patients with great pain control following surgical procedures.
WHAT’S ONE LEADERSHIP SKILL YOU FEEL EVERYONE MUST LEARN?
NOVEMBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
Great communication skills are a must. It is imperative that one is clear and direct when addressing colleagues, specifically when a problem exists.
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TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF: AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU SEE YOURSELF DOING AS A CAREER? I have always wanted to be a physician for as long as I can remember.
WHAT WAS YOUR VERY FIRST JOB? I worked at Baskin Robbins slinging ice cream and making ice cream cakes. I can decorate a Sesame Street cake with the best.
WHAT TIME TO DO YOU WAKE UP AND HOW DO YOU START YOUR DAY? I wake up daily between 5 and 5:30 am, walk the dogs, then grab a cup of coffee on the way to the hospital.
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FAVORITES/THIS OR THAT: Favorite food? That’s a tough choice - it’s between a great steak and good Mexican food. Favorite vacation spot? The Florida Keys are my favorite. I make that trip as often as possible to chase fish or lobsters.
Chocolate or vanilla ice cream? Vanilla, but I might add some chocolate syrup if I’m feeling adventurous. Pen or pencil? Pen
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HIGHLY ATTENTIVE. HIGHLY REWARDING.
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or healthcare professionals, it is no secret that the last few months have been defined by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, in the midst of unprecedented times, Thibodaux Regional Health System has continued to strive for advancements and progress in providing up-to-date care for residents of Thibodaux and the surrounding areas. “The culture of the organization drives the outcomes, and an adaptive culture—a culture in the pursuit of excellence, a culture [in which] people are good with change... We encourage that culture. Our leaders are buying into that,” CEO Greg Stock said. “We do have a plan, and we’re going to execute that plan, and we trust people to do their part of it and do it well and to be thinking ahead.” As COVID-19 reached Lafourche Parish back in March, Stock said there was great concern for how patients would be treated, particularly when it came to the need for ventilator care. He said Thibodaux Regional’s infectious disease and pulmonary
doctors became highly involved in changing the way that COVID-19 treatment was given, which ultimately resulted in fewer deaths and improved quality of life after contracting the virus. As those doctors engaged in enhanced research, Stock said the Thibodaux Regional team combined their efforts with those of pharmacists, nurses and other pulmonary staff, participating in daily meetings to communicate changes, provide updates on patient care and monitor progress being made. The next effort was to adapt to the increased need for intensive care (ICU) beds. “We have probably a typical intensive care unit and what’s called a step-down unit, which is something that’s evolved over the years. It’s a little less intensive,” Stock said. “But, the question I had was, why do we have two of those? Why don’t we have one? And could we improve the quality of patient care and reduce the cost of care if we did that?”
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Because of this factor, coupled with a heightened demand for critical care nurses, the hospital underwent a rapid 45-day process of creating 40 new critical care beds by consolidating the ICU and step-down units into one unit staged on an unused floor of the hospital. “We’ve seen tremendous gains in that. It’s a state-of-the-art unit. It’s innovative. It’s different,” Stock said. “And I think it’s very forward-thinking, but it came out of that crisis.” The final piece of Thibodaux Regional’s adaptation to COVID-19 was to engage in partnerships with larger outside entities. The hospital developed a research agreement with the Mayo Clinic and GE Corporation to better understand the virus and its effects. Additionally, Stock joined forces with a group of ICU doctors out of New York to make arrangements for virtual care. “They’re twenty-four-seven critical care physicians, very well-trained, very experienced,
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who also provided support for our local doctors and insight,” Stock said. “New York was a place that experienced a lot of COVID cases, so they’ve seen a lot of it.” Stock said he is proud of the way the Thibodaux Regional team adapted and created innovative solutions as the COVID-19 pandemic continued. For example, he credits the supply chain team for the fact that the hospital never ran out of personal protective equipment (PPE), even at the height of the virus. “It’s just who you are. That’s what we try to teach, and we have these really great staff members that walk the talk,” Stock said. As it continues to advance its COVID-19 response efforts, Thibodaux Regional has made strides in other areas as well. Over the last few months, the hospital has recruited roughly 20 new doctors to its team. Several are currently at the hospital, while the rest are set to join the staff by next summer. Recent additions include neurologists Dr. Jessica Baity and
Dr. Tashfin Huq, urologist Dr. Katie Flower and plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Catherine McGee, who is also trained in microvascular surgery. A significant number of the new Thibodaux Regional doctors are women, including two urologists, which Stock said is a positive addition for female patients. “I think that that’s going to be a really great thing for the women especially. These people are very well-trained. I think they’re going to do an outstanding job,” Stock said. Stock said Thibodaux Regional’s newest doctors will bring a great outlook and commitment to applying and improving technology, which are factors that earned the hospital a five-star rating for clinical care from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services previously. In addition, many of the doctors are from the Thibodaux area, which Stock said promotes more success for the hospital. “They’re more likely to stay. They love this culture...Almost all of them have close
ties to family and friends here, and they love it. So, if you love the area, you relate well to the people, you’re going to do better generally,” Stock said. “For those that aren’t raised here, that are not from around here, I think they come to quickly appreciate the wonderful people of South Louisiana.” Another piece of Thibodaux Regional’s forward progress is its new cancer center, which began development last year. The new center falls just under 100 thousand square feet, compared to the current center’s seven-thousand square feet. In addition to a size increase, Stock said the new center will create an environment that is peaceful and welcoming for patients undergoing an undoubtedly challenging time in their life. “That feeling part is really incredibly important...There’s a beautiful chapel there that we didn’t really have space for in the old building—things like that, that are subtle and not-so-subtle that I think that the people here will deeply appreciate
when they enter the building,” Stock said. As construction of the center progresses, the hospital has recruited more medical oncologists to its team in response, as well as specialized doctors like McGee, who will be able to offer women breast reconstruction surgery following breast cancer surgery. As of now, the center is expected to be completed by August of 2021. Looking ahead to Thibodaux Regional’s future, Stock said he wants patients to know that the hospital is doing everything it can to remain committed to excellent patient care and clinical outcomes. “That’s what we’re after, and that’s what we’re going to remain committed to,” Stock said. “So whether it’s buildings, whether it’s bedside care, whether it’s technology, processes, whatever it is. We look to do that in the best way possible and to continue to learn and innovate and improve and change the way we do things for the betterment of the patient.”
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ver the past 16 years, chiropractor Dr. Matt Porche has helped patients of all ages, from infants to seniors, in their quest to improve their health. One of the aspects of his work that he is most passionate about is sports medicine. ¨What I love about athletes is that when they are injured, they want to be back on the field as quickly as possible,” shares Porche. “Nobody wants to get better faster than an athlete, so they’re working with you, theyŕe doing everything they can.¨ Porche has worked extensively with
BY JENNIFER HUNTER athletes at Nicholls State University for the past 10 years, taking care of them on campus as well as in his office, and traveling with the football team. Throughout this experience he has noticed that trainers have become increasingly more focused on performance enhancement and preventing injuries rather than treating them after they happen. This past month, Porche has been applying this same focus on preventative care in a new setting: working with youth athletes at the Louisiana Baseball Academy (LBA) training facility in
Schriever. The opportunity to work with the LBA athletes grew out of Porche´s personal connection as the parent of an LBA athlete. His 13-year-old son has practiced at the facility for several years and has played on the Naturals team since last year. Porche said he and LBA Owner Josh Constant had talked for a while about how he might get involved from a sports medicine perspective. Before deciding what his role would be, though, Porche said he took some time to just observe how the kids worked.
¨Youth sports have changed drastically over the years,” explains Porche. “Youth athletes are training and pushing their bodies like collegiate athletes more now than ever before.¨ Seeing this intensity got Porche thinking about how he could offer something beyond simply treating injuries as they happened. And so the idea was born for a special recovery program that would help these kids maintain their bodies like the pros. The new program, called The Naturals Recovery Zone Powered by Dr. Matt
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younger athletes would translate. He decided to use his son as a guinea pig. ¨He was having some throwing issues and chronic soreness, and I started using the NormaTec on him in combination with some other therapies, and he responded great.¨ This led Porche to start using it on other Naturals team members, which also resulted in success. ¨The kids love it. They’ve all said their arms and legs feel fresher after and not as sore.¨ In addition to the NormaTec system, Porche uses other kinds of treatments in the recovery zone sessions, such as various stretches, electric stimulation and soft tissue techniques like Active Release Technique (ART). The ART, he says, is especially popular with the pitchers because it loosens up adhesions on the muscles to help the arm or leg perform better and prevent injury. LBA participants who want to try out one of Dr. Matt´s recovery sessions at the Schriever training facility can schedule an appointment online through a link on the LBA Naturals Facebook page. And Porche also offers these same recovery sessions, along with many other chiropractic services, at his clinic in Thibodaux. Porche is enthusiastic about this new venture. ¨To work on an athlete and then to see them perform at a high level afterwards is extremely rewarding for me,¨ he said. ¨I love it. And itś really fun to watch the youth level because their excitement is so high.¨
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Porche, gives these young athletes access to the same types of treatment and equipment you would find in a college or professional training room. Each session lasts about 30 minutes, and during each session, Porche addresses the needs of the individual athlete and works with the coaches to decide what kind of approach he will take. ¨Itś not set up to just be a cookie cutter kind of thing. Every kid is going to have their own different type of treatment,” says Porche. “Catchers, for example, want their legs worked on more than their arms because theyŕe squatting and doing so much more with their legs.¨ One of the more popular treatments Porche uses is a kind of compression therapy using something called the NormaTec Recovery System. It consists of lightweight nylon sleeves or boots that fit over the arms, legs, and hips to deliver a high-tech massage to flush out the muscles. ¨The concept is to get fresh blood to the areas that are sore,” explains Porche. “You get a build up of old blood and lymph that are causing the muscles to stay sore and over time if things stay like that in the body, it can lead to injury. That new blood promotes healing to the area, reduces inflammation, and allows the muscles to work properly.¨ Although Porche had seen the benefits of this therapy in his work with the Nicholls athletes and in using it on himself, he was curious how using the NormaTec with
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improvements for the medical center since the pandemic started to keep its staff and community prepared for COVID-19. “We have taken every measure possible to ensure our COVID-19 readiness, preparedness and safety both inside and outside the walls of our hospital,” said J. Louis Watkins III, TGMC Board Chairman. “We remain committed to making future investments to be proactive in the care that we provide.” “In the worst times, the best in people prevail. Our local community was no exception. The ‘Unity in our Community’ was never as strong as it was during the beginning of this pandemic. We could not have gotten through the worst of this without the prayers, well wishes, delicious meals and kind words of our community,” Peoples added. “A huge thank you for their unwavering support and outpouring of love to our physicians and staff.” MAKING STRIDES IN HEALTHCARE DESPITE DEALING WITH A PANDEMIC It’s been a noteworthy year for Terrebonne General, not just because of the coronavirus pandemic but also due to the strives it has made in healthcare. This past summer, TGMC became the first and only facility in the state to utilize the new Computed Tomography (CT) scanner, the GE Revolution Frontier Gen 2 -- technology that makes diagnostic imaging safer and faster for patients while using low doses of radiation to create high-quality images. “Our new CT scanner allows us to continue to improve lives through worldclass diagnostic imaging,” Peoples said of the device. “By using the most advanced technology in the state, patient safety and comfort will be improved while our medical providers receive the highest quality images possible to be confident in their diagnoses and treatment plans.” With everyone doing their part to flatten the curve in 2020, the health care facility introduced TGMC Telehealth, allowing patients to visit with physicians and nurse practitioners from the safety of their home via live video conferencing through MyChart on smartphone or tablet. And the medical center didn’t stop there with implementing video streaming
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f it wasn’t apparent before, the COVID-19 pandemic showed how vital hospitals are to the community. With many becoming overwhelmed with patients, healthcare facilities had to adapt during unprecedented times to ensure the safety of their staff and patients while finding innovative ways to treat the novel coronavirus. “This is what we do best and when our staff shines the most, when we take care of our patients and our community during their most difficult times,” said President and CEO of Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) Phyllis Peoples in March -when the pandemic hit the Bayou Region. “Healthcare is a calling and it takes amazing people to do what our physicians and staff are specially trained to do while handling all types of emergency situations, as well as providing the highest quality care,” she continued. Although COVID-19 presented a new challenge, TGMC was ready to respond, as the hospital engages in emergency preparedness training year-round. To minimize the spread, TGMC follows the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommended infection prevention and control practices: placing any patient with known or suspected COVID-19 in a separate location, providing personal protective equipment to healthcare personnel and educating the staff, patients and community on proper hand hygiene. Additionally, TGMC made modifications to the physical plant, screens employees and visitors, provides COVID-19 tests to the community, created negative pressure rooms, implemented additional security measures, heightened cleaning and sanitizing equipment, provided readiness programs for schools and businesses and introduced state-of-the-art technology. Because testing is in such high demand, it became a top priority for TGMC, as adequate tests continue to be available for its patients and community. The medical center offers drive-through COVID-19 testing with same-day results and plans to expand testing. At press time in mid-October, TGMC has invested more than $5 million in
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technology. TGMC Women’s Health Center now has NICVIEW 2, letting parents of a hospitalized newborn view their loved one on a 24/7 livestream as they receive care in the region’s only Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). In September, the hospital also began offering its in-house patients MyChart Bedside, a tablet-based application that delivers real-time information to its patients during their stay. It allows them to keep track of their daily schedule, learn more about members of their treatment team, take notes, make nonurgent requests, monitor their recent vitals and labs and review educational materials assigned by the nurse, and it also features entertainment options. As the number of patients needing cardiac care continues to grow, TGMC is expanding its cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology services this year, adding a new catheterization laboratory (Cath lab) and expanding the
electrophysiology room (EP). With the additional Cath lab, the medical center will offer four state-ofthe-art rooms, each equipped with the latest technology such as the Alphenix Dual Plane for flexibility and patient safety. This innovation will provide physicians and medical personnel with imaging that allows clinicians to see fine details during complex interventional procedures. The new technology will also offer dose optimizing tools to help minimize radiation exposure to patients and technicians. Electrophysiology is the study of the heart’s electrical system, which is used to diagnose irregular heartbeats or arrhythmia. For the EP expansion, a separate room was built to accommodate the increasing patient volume, and it will include the Alphenix Core + and Alphenix Hi-Def Detector, a quality high definition detector. The expansion will make TGMC the only facility in the region to offer a dedicated EP Lab.
“As demand for cardiac services increases, TGMC continues to be committed to providing state-of-theart amenities to our physicians and the patients we serve,” Peoples said when the additions were announced in June. “With the additional space and innovative technology, our patients can rest assured that they do not need to travel far for excellent cardiac care.” Along with the innovative technology it brought to the facility this year, TGMC also welcomed more physician specialists to their team. Dr. Sindhura Bandaru, endocrinologist; Dr. Navin Kumar Durairajan, pulmonary and critical care specialist; and Dr. Dominique Monlezun, internal medicine/hospitalist all joined the hospital staff. In 2020, the Mary Bird Perkins TGMC Cancer Center expanded its oncology team and added four oncology experts, Dr. Jitendra Gandhi, Dr. Janeiro Goffin and Dr. Sukesh Manthri, medical oncologists; and Dr. Ashley S. Brown,
radiation oncologist. In addition, Allison Cazenave, CSO, specialist in oncology nutrition — only one of seven in the state — joined the team to provide nutrition counseling and support for patients undergoing treatment. “Looking back over the last year, I have immense pride and appreciation for our TGMC family; we call them our ‘Healthcare Heroes’ for their tenacity during this unprecedented time. Healthcare is truly a calling that requires great passion, and I am so very proud of our physicians and staff for all that they do each and every day to take care of our community when they need us the most,” Peoples said. “Moving forward, TGMC will continue to stay on the forefront of healthcare by providing the most innovative products and services that offer our patients modern solutions to improving their health and wellness.”
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FIRST
OF ITS KIND IN THE
REGION
A M B U L ATO R Y S U R G E R Y C E N T E R
Cardiovascular Institute of the South is pioneering a new state-of-the-art Ambulatory Surgery Center in Gray, Louisiana which will offer outpatient services to meet the growing cardiovascular needs of the region. The facility will include two catheterization laboratories that will be equipped for diagnostic and stenting procedures of the coronary, peripheral artery and venous systems as well as physician training resources. The center will also have an outpatient clinic for the convenience of CIS patients.
LEARN MORE AT CARDIO.COM
NOVEMBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
COMING THIS DECEMBER
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BUSINESS NEWS |
STAFF REPORT
NOVEMBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
LOUISIANA GROUPS ANNOUNCE INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTIONS TO HURRICANE LAURA RELIEF EFFORTS
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For decades, the energy industry has invested in Louisiana’s people, communities and economy. While the energy sector makes up the backbone of Louisiana’s economy, it’s the people who power the industry forward. In times of need, the industry steps up to support the people of Louisiana and our local communities. In total, the energy sector has donated approximately $4.5 million and more than 50,000 gallons of fuel, in addition to company supply drives and employee gift matching programs, to support Hurricane Laura relief efforts. Southwest Louisiana is one of the largest oil, natural gas and petrochemical hubs in the world. Facilities have grown and expanded into the region, engraining themselves in the lifeblood of the community. From fuel donations to free meals to funding hygiene supplies for evacuees, energy companies have and will continue to step up in significant ways to volunteer, provide valuable resources and donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to assist with recovery efforts in the area. The Grow Louisiana Coalition (GLAC), in partnership with the Louisiana Chemical Association (LCA), Louisiana MidContinent Oil & Gas Association (LMOGA) and Louisiana Oil & Gas Association (LOGA) launched the “Powering Ahead, Facing Tomorrow Together” campaign to highlight the industry’s extensive response in the wake of Hurricane Laura and be a resource for information on how the public can access assistance and contribute to these efforts. Donations and contributions that energy companies have made to Hurricane Laura relief efforts to date include, but are not limited to: • bp America and the bp Foundation
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contributed $100,000 to the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana Hurricane Laura Relief and Recovery Fund. CenterPoint Energy pledged $350,000 to local organizations including the American Red Cross, United Way of Southwest Louisiana, the Salvation Army of Lake Charles and more. Cheniere Energy pledged $1 million to local organizations, including $500,000 to the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana and hosted a supply drive with the Houston Astros. Chevron donated over $500,000 to various organizations and 8,500 gallons of fuel to local citizens and first responders in Cameron and Calcasieu parishes, in partnership with Retif Oil and Fuel. ConocoPhillips donated $100,000 to the American Red Cross and United Way of Southwest Louisiana. Enbridge donated $50,000 to the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana. EOG Resources donated in-kind supplies, a $6,000 value. ExxonMobil Baton Rouge and Lard Oil donated 28,000 gallons of fuel to first responders to support recovery efforts. ExxonMobil Beaumont donated approximately 15,000 gallons of fuel to Orange and Vinton communities. Lard Oil donated a 275-gallon diesel tank and pump for the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation to set up at L’Auberge Casino in Lake Charles to run the generator. LyondellBasell donated $50,000 to the Community Foundation of
Southwest Louisiana. Phillips 66 donated $750,000 to the American Red Cross. • Sasol donated $100,000 to the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana. • Sempra Energy pledged $500,000 to local organizations in Louisiana and Texas. • Shell donated more than $300,000 to various organizations for rebuilding and recovery in Southwest Louisiana including the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana, the American Red Cross, Second Harvest of Acadiana and more. • Tellurian donated $100,000 to the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana. • Valero and the Valero Energy Foundation pledged a total of $300,000 in grants and fuel and also held a donation drive. • Westlake Chemical Corporation & The Chao Foundation donated $500,000 to the United Way of Southwest Louisiana’s Hurricane Laura Disaster Fund. • 24Hour Safety handed out more than 1,300 free po-boys to the community. “In order for a company to truly provide support in times of need, they need to be rooted in the community beforehand. Luckily for Louisiana, the energy sector has invested in the livelihood of its communities for decades,” said Marc Ehrhardt, executive director of the Grow Louisiana Coalition. “While these are anything but normal times, the energy industry has remained a steadfast partner to local communities and organizations and is continuously dedicated to helping Southwest Louisiana rebuild and grow for years to come.”
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“In times like these, I see the commitment and hard work as an emblem of our industry’s partnership with the state and its people,” said Greg Bowser, LCA and LCIA CEO and president. “While we are in challenging times, we are given an opportunity to continue to serve and do better for one another and our community every day. I am proud of the industry for continuing its support even through unprecedented times.” “Oil and natural gas companies have partnered with generations of Louisianans to strengthen our country and our state, so it comes as no surprise to see the industry stepping up once again for Louisiana communities. From the COVID-19 pandemic to devastating storms, like Hurricane Laura, we are all in this together,” said Lori LeBlanc, LMOGA vice president. “The communities in which we live and work have always been our industry’s top priority and our member companies are humbled to be a small part of the solution as our neighbors work towards recovery.” “Seeing the destruction in Lake Charles first hand and knowing what those folks are going through is overwhelming. It always comforts me to know that our industry remains steadfast in its generosity and community support,” said Mike Moncla, LOGA interim president. “Countless oilfield companies put boots on the ground, fuel in cars and food on tables for hundreds of families in the wake of Hurricane Laura and will continue to support recovery any time our state faces a challenge.” To view a list of industry contributions or to learn more about how you can help and donate, please visithttps:// growlouisianacoalition.com/hurricanelaura-relief-efforts/.
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More options for primary care right here in your neighborhood.
Michael Marcello, MD
Jack Heidenreich, MD
Andre Duplantis, MD
Megan Hartman, MD
Ochsner Health Center – Raceland
Mohammad Nawaz, MD
Sarah Knight, MD
Michael Bacon, MD
Jo Foret, NP
Ochsner Health Center – Lockport
Melissa Marcombe, NP
Linsey Daigle, NP
Michelle Lindsey, NP
Angelique Torres, APRN
Our team is growing to better serve you. We would like to welcome Michael Bacon, MD. Ochsner Family Doctor Clinic – Mathews 111 Acadia Park Dr. Raceland, LA 70394 985-537-7575 Ochsner Health Center – Raceland 106 Cypress St. Raceland, LA 70394 985-537-2273
Ochsner Health Center – Lockport 1015 Crescent Ave. Lockport, LA 70374 985-532-1620
NOVEMBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
At Ochsner St. Anne, our providers are dedicated to providing quality care to meet your personalized health needs, including annual check-ups, immunizations and care for acute and chronic conditions.
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MOVERS AND SHAKERS |
HEADLINES & ACCOLADES
BOLLINGER SHIPYARDS AWARDED FOUR MORE FAST RESPONSE CUTTERS BY U.S. COAST GUARD
NOVEMBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
SHAVER FAMILY DONATES TO SHAVER GYM RENOVATIONS
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The family of Richard Shaver has donated $15,000 to renovate the building bearing his name. John Shaver, Richard’s nephew; his wife, Palma (BA, ‘80; MEd, ‘96); and their daughter, Mary Shaver Frey (BS, ‘14) donated $10,000. Richard Shaver’s brother, Charles Shaver, donated an additional $5,000. “We acknowledge the important role that Nicholls plays in our community and are honored to partner with the university as leadership continues its efforts to improve and enhance the campus,” The Shaver Family said. “We thank Nicholls for granting us the opportunity to honor and respect the legacy of a beloved family member in such a meaningful way.” The renovations include adding air conditioning, installing LED bulbs in the light fixtures, painting ceilings, refinishing the gym floors and the removal of old wooden bleachers. This has allowed the gym space to be used as a socially distanced classroom during COVID-19. Built in 1955, the building is named for Richard Castles “Squee” Shaver. Richard was a second-year freshman who aspired
to become an engineer when he died during a scuba diving accident in Lake Pontchartrain. He was 19 years old at the time. Charles remembers him as a talented musician who played the drums, banjo and piano. “He was a joyful person who liked everything and everybody, and had many friends,” he said. “His death was a catastrophe.” Today, the building houses Nicholls State Veterans, the Student Access Center and, soon, the Hi-5 Mentorship Program. “This process has allowed Shaver Gym to go from an underutilized facility on campus to one that will be used by so many across campus and it is because of donors like the Shaver Family,” said Jeremy Becker, executive director of the Nicholls Foundation. “The university is not complete with the renovations for the gym, and thankfully the Shavers have mentioned that they will also continue to contribute to the facility for years to come.” For more information on the Nicholls Foundation or to donate, visit http://nichollsfoundation.org.
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The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded Bollinger Shipyards, LLC (“Bollinger”) four additional Sentinel-Class Fast Response Cutters (FRC). This announcement brings the total number of FRCs awarded to Bollinger up to 60 vessels since the program’s inception. The Coast Guard’s Program of Record is to procure 64 FRCs. “It’s a great honor to have the confidence of the U.S. Coast Guard to continue the work we’re doing,” said Bollinger Shipyards President & CEO Ben Bordelon. “The FRC program is something we’re all proud of here in Louisiana. Delivering vessels on schedule and on budget to the Coast Guard during these challenging times shows the determination and resiliency of our workforce.” All four FRCs will be built at Bollinger’s Lockport, La facility and are scheduled for delivery to the Coast Guard in 2022 and 2023. Three of the four would be homeported in Alaska and the fourth in Boston, Ma. Bordelon continued, “While Louisiana’s unemployment rate remains above historic averages, we’re proud that Bollinger continues to be an economic pillar and job creator in south Louisiana. More than 600 of our 1,500-plus employees have important roles related to the FRC program. Without the support of the Coast Guard and Congress for the continuation of this critical program in FY21, the security of these jobs would be thrown into question.” The FRC program has had a total economic impact of $1.2 billion since inception in material spending and directly supports 650 jobs in Southeast Louisiana. The program has indirectly created 1,690 new jobs from operations and capital investment and has an
annual economic impact on GDP of $202 million, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) on the economic Importance of the U.S. Shipbuilding and Repair Industry. Bollinger sources over 271,000 different items for the FRC consisting of 282 million components and parts from 965 suppliers in 37 states. The FRC is one of many U.S. Government shipbuilding programs that Bollinger is proud to support. In addition to the construction of the FRC, Bollinger is participating in Industry Studies for five Government programs, including the U.S. Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) program, the U.S. Navy’s Common Hull Auxiliary Multi-Mission Platform (CHAMP) program, the U.S. Navy’s Auxiliary General Ocean Surveillance (T-AGOS(X)) program, the U.S. Navy’s Large Unmanned Surface Vehicle (LUSV) program and the U.S. Navy’s Light Amphibious Warship (LAW) program. An operational “game changer,” FRCs are consistently being deployed in support of the full range of missions within the United States Coast Guard and other branches of our armed services. This is due to its exceptional performance, expanded operational reach and capabilities, and ability to transform and adapt to the mission. FRCs have conducted operations as far as the Marshall Islands—a 4,400 nautical mile trip from their homeport. Measuring in at 154-feet, FRCs have a flank speed of 28 knots, state of the art C4ISR suite (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), and stern launch and recovery ramp for a 26-foot, over-thehorizon interceptor cutter boat.
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The health and wellness of your team is critical to a successful business. This is why Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, in collaboration with Albemarle Foundation, launched Prevention on the Go for the workplace. This program brings key cancer prevention and early detection services to employees at your place of work – at your convenience. It’s a lifesaving benefit that many employers are already finding invaluable.
40+ 3,767 57%
because they don’t have time. Knowing the Cancer Center eliminates this barrier by brinTing screenings to the workplace made this an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.
EMPLOYEES SCREENED FOR CANCER
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HAD NEVER BEEN SCREENED BEFORE
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NOVEMBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
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MOVERS AND SHAKERS |
HEADLINES & ACCOLADES
NOVEMBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
PARISH TOURISM LEADER TO DEPART ORGANIZATION AFTER MORE THAN FIVE YEARS; INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO NAMED
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The Board of Directors of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism, Lafourche Parish’s destination marketing organization, announced Timothy Bush, who has served as president and CEO since March 2015, will leave his role on October 15. Bush will be relocating to Spartanburg, South Carolina to join OneSpartanburg, Inc., South Carolina’s first consolidated business, economic and tourism development organization as Chief Tourism Development Officer. “I am truly humbled to have had the opportunity to serve the Lafourche Parish community, tourism partners and stakeholders over the last five-plus years,” Bush said. “It has been a tremendous honor to promote tourism to one of Louisiana’s truly unique and distinctive destinations. I am so appreciative to our incredible board of directors and for the faith they put in me daily to lead this organization.” Tourism grew exponentially under Bush’s leadership. In 2017, the Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou brand was launched, defining Lafourche Parish as an unapologetically Cajun community known for its food, culture, festivals and outdoor adventure. 2018 brought the launch of the Cajun Bayou Food Trail, garnering regional and national media attention for the parish as it showcased the culinary culture built around Cajun food. Both efforts helped
increase leisure visitation during Bush’s tenure. He also oversaw the renovation of the parish’s Visitor Center and Office complex to better showcase the brand and promote an understanding of what Lafourche Parish can offer visitors. “During the last five years, Timothy’s vision and leadership in promoting tourism for Lafourche Parish has far exceeded our expectations. His innovative strategies elevated public awareness and advanced tourism throughout the parish,” said LCBT Board Vice Chair Marguerite Knight Erwin. “He was directly responsible for the successful rebranding to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou and recognized for numerous awards and achievements throughout his tenure here. He will be greatly missed, but we celebrate his advancement within the industry, and know that our local organization will forever be grateful for his time spent with us.” “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to thank Timothy for all his hard work and commitment to building tourism in Lafourche Parish,” said LCBT Board Chair Jeremy Punch. “Timothy’s passion and knowledge of tourism helped to elevate Lafourche Parish tourism to a level we had not previously experienced. Lafourche Parish as a tourism destination is solidly positioned with a strong brand and a platform that resonates forward growth.
While we are sad to see him go, we wish him well in this next chapter of his career and are truly appreciative of his service to our community.” Cody Gray, the tourism office’s current director of sales and marketing, will begin serving as interim president and CEO of the organization effective October 16. Gray joined the tourism team earlier this year, moving from his home state of Florida to Lafourche Parish in the midst of a pandemic because he saw so much tourism potential in this region. “Timothy has built a very strong destination promotion and management organization that continues to play a vital role to our communities in Lafourche Parish,” Gray said. “As COVID-19 has shown us, the travel industry plays a significant role in our local economy. I am very honored and excited to work with the board of directors, LCBT team and all our partners to continue advancing and building the future of the tourism industry
in Lafourche Parish.” Punch said Gray will have the board’s full support over the next several months as the organization evaluates what comes next. “Transitions and change are never easy, but from a continuity standpoint, we as a board of directors are confident in the abilities of Cody Gray,” said Punch. “Though he has only been with us for a short period of time, his seven years of experience in the tourism industry is certainly a foundation on which to grow. As we evaluate what’s next for our organization, we are confident in his abilities to continue the momentum of increasing tourism opportunities. He has already demonstrated through his time with the organization his attention to detail and a level of professionalism that is required of a leader. We look forward to working with him during this transition.”
in 2015 as a human resource (HR) assistant and currently serves as an HR supervisor. Prior to working in oil and gas, she gained HR experience in the medical field and
earned a bachelor’s degree in government from Nicholls State University. Boudreaux and her husband Zach have two children and live in Houma.
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DANOS ANNOUNCES FIELD AND STAFF EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR Danos has named recipients for the company’s two most prestigious awards. The 2019 Dwain “Hog” Carrell Field Employee of the Year recipient is Chris Pitts, and the 2019 Staff Employee of the Year awardee is Melani Boudreaux. Each year, Danos selects recipients that most embody the company’s purpose, values and high-performance culture. “Both Chris and Melani embody Danos in the way they live out our company purpose to ‘Honor God and solve big challenges for our customers and communities,” said owner Eric Danos. “I am proud to have each of
them recognized for their commitment to Danos and for representing our company.” Pitts currently serves as logistics lead working on a customer platform in the Gulf of Mexico. He began his career with Danos as a rigger in 2005. Since then, he has grown within the company holding various positions including forklift and crane operator, materials coordinator, dispatcher and crew lead. Pitts and his wife Renee have four children and are residents of Houma, Louisiana. With nearly 14 years of experience, Boudreaux started working with Danos
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NICHOLLS NAMED TOP PUBLIC REGIONAL UNIVERSITY IN LOUISIANA FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR rates, retention rates, social mobility, academic reputation, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving rate. This year, that calculation also measured student debt and increased the weight of scores factoring student outcomes. After the data is analyzed, each school is then broken up into national universities and regional universities, and the top 75 percent in each category is published. For the second year in a row, Nicholls has also ranked among the top southern regional universities in the South for social mobility. This year, Nicholls ranked No. 104. Social mobility is calculated by comparing each university’s Pell Grant recipient graduation rates with the graduation rates of their peers. U.S. News & World Report is a digital news and information company that empowers people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. Focusing on Education, Health, Personal Finance, Travel, Cars and News & Opinion, USNews. com provides consumer advice, rankings, news and analysis to serve people making complex decisions throughout all stages of life. More than 30 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
HOUMA, LA 985-851-7077 ASSOCIATEDPUMP.COM
Dewatering, Bypass & Fluid Movement SALES · RENTAL · 24 HOUR SERVICE
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OCHSNER ST. ANNE WELCOMES AUBREY ORGERON III, MD TO MEDICAL STAFF Ochsner St. Anne announced Aubrey Orgeron III, MD, a Psychiatrist has joined the hospital’s medical staff. Dr. Orgeron earned his medical degree at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. He completed his residency at the LSU New Orleans Adult Psychiatry Program. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. As a Psychiatrist, Dr. Orgeron provides
treatment for depression, anxiety, emotional effects of a medical illness or life change and addictive disorders just to name a few. Dr. Orgeron joins Dr. Michael Blanchard at Ochsner St. Anne Hospital. He is now accepting new patients.
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CORONAVIRUS THREATENING YOUR BUSINESS REVENUE? WE CAN HELP. www.reimagine-marketing.com • 986.868.7515
NOVEMBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
U.S. News & World Report has named Nicholls State University as the top public regional university in Louisiana for the third year in a row. U.S. News & World Report released their 2021 rankings in October, and Nicholls ranks 35th among top public regional universities in the South. Nicholls is also ranked as the 80th best southern regional university, including private schools – second best in the state. These rankings are an improvement for the second year in a row. Last year, Nicholls ranked 38th and 84th, respectively. “I am pleased to see continued improvement among the rankings in the U.S. News & World Report College Rankings. Their formula places an emphasis on the education, retention and graduation of students, and so do we,” said Nicholls President Dr. Jay Clune. “While these rankings do not define us, they are a public assessment of our improvement as an institution and impact on the Bayou Region.” U.S. News & World Report defines a regional university as one that offers many undergraduate degrees, some master’s degrees but few doctoral programs. A public university is one that operates under the supervision of a state government and is funded in part by tax dollars. To calculate each school’s ranking, U.S. News & World Report studied graduation
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MOVERS AND SHAKERS |
HEADLINES & ACCOLADES
THIBODAUX REGIONAL WELCOMES DR. JESSICA BAITY, NEUROLOGIST, TO THE MEDICAL STAFF
DR. BRIAN J. MATHERNE HONORED AS RECIPIENT OF TGMC GOLDEN STETHOSCOPE AWARD
NOVEMBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) announced Dr. Brian J. Matherne as the recipient of the Golden Stethoscope Award. The prominent Golden Stethoscope Award publicly recognizes a TGMC physician for his or her exceptional level of professionalism, integrity and teamwork in caring for patients and families, as well as interacting with hospital staff members and other physicians. Nominations can be made by physicians, employees, patients, and volunteers. The Golden Stethoscope Award recognizes two physicians a year. “It is an honor to present Dr. Brian Matherne the Golden Stethoscope
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Award,” said Phyllis Peoples, TGMC President and CEO. “Dr. Matherne has been caring for patients and the community for over 40 years. His compassion and dedication to patients, our community and hospital is truly admirable.” Dr. Matherne, a family practice physician, received a Bachelor of Science degree from Nicholls State University and subsequently graduated from Louisiana State University School of Medicine. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Matherne says,” I am honored and humbled to have been recognized for this award, this is a true privilege.”
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Thibodaux Regional Health System is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Jessica Baity, Neurologist, to the active medical staff. Dr. Baity is available to care for patients at Thibodaux Regional Neurology Clinic located 726 North Acadia Road, Suite 2300, Thibodaux, (985) 493-3090. Dr. Baity received her undergraduate degree from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. She earned her medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans where she also performed her Neurology Residency and Internal Medicine Internship. Dr. Baity is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Medical Association. Dr. Baity specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of neurological conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, migraine, other headache disorders, neuropathy, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. A native of New Orleans, Dr. Baity is excited to serve the patients of south Louisiana. She looks forward to getting to know the people and culture of Thibodaux.
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CIS IS FIRST IN SOUTH LA TO USE 4G MITRACLIP DEVICE Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) interventional cardiologists Dr. Peter Fail and Dr. Darrell Solet were the first in South Louisiana to use the fourth generation MitraClip™ heart valve repair device to treat mitral regurgitation. The procedure took place on August 18, 2020 at Terrebonne General Medical Center. The fourth-generation MitraClip device, MitraClip G4, brings new enhancements, including an expanded range of clip sizes, an alternative leaflet grasping feature, and procedure assessment in real time to offer doctors further options when treating mitral valve disease. MitraClip G4 also offers independently-controlled grippers that allow physicians to grasp one or both
leaflets during the procedure, known as Controlled Gripper Actuation™. Additionally, the latest generation of MitraClip has the benefit of an upgraded catheter to allow integrated real-time left atrial pressure monitoring during the implant. This helps to determine proper placement to optimize patient outcomes. “The fourth generation MitraClip provides physicians with even more options to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients,” said Dr. Peter Fail. “For years, the MitraClip device has been the standard in minimally-invasive treatment for mitral regurgitation.” Mitral regurgitation is the most common form of heart valve disease. It refers to the backward leakage of blood
in the heart when the mitral valve does not close properly. The MitraClip procedure is a minimally-invasive treatment option for
those with a severe leak in the mitral valve who are too high-risk for traditional open heart surgery.
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ON THE AGENDA HOUMA-TERREBONNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GOLF CLASSIC
The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce will host its 12th annual golf tournament! The Golf Classic features great food and drinks on the course as well as a number of prizes and golf-related awards for closest to the hole and longest drive. The format for the tournament will be a four-person scramble with a shotgun start. The entry fee is $150 per person or $600 per four-member team. October 26, 11 a.m. Ellendale Country Club, Houma
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON
The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly General Membership Luncheon with guest speaker Dr. Craig McClain, Executive Director of LUMCON. Payment is required in advance and no payment will be accepted at the event, as well as no walk-ups allowed. Admission is $25 per person with payment required in advance. Pre-pay is available online, mailed in, or by calling the Chamber office. October 27, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Courtyard by Marriott, Houma
BIG MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON
The Bayou Industrial Group welcomes you back to their monthly meetings! This month’s general membership meeting will be held on the 5th floor of the Thibodaux Regional Wellness Center. Reservations are open to members first, then to guests if space allows. November 9, noon Thibodaux Regional Wellness Center
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON
The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly General Membership Luncheon with guest speaker Matt Rookard, Terrebonne Economic Development Authority. Payment is required in advance and no payment will be accepted at the event, as well as no walk-ups allowed. Admission is $25 per person with payment required in advance. Pre-pay is available online, mailed in, or by calling the Chamber office. November 17, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Courtyard by Marriott, Houma All dates and times are subject to change.
MAIN IRON WORKS
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NOVEMBER 2020 | BAYOU BUSINESS MONTHLY
A leader in the tug construction industry, Main Iron Works offers the building of push boats, tug boats, specialty boats, and fishing vessels for marine transport companies nationwide.
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WORKPLACE
READINESS
employee health. With over 65 trusted years of leading edge healthcare experience, TGMC is here to help you and your employees return to work safely. In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, TGMC Wellness for Life has the resources to keep you and your workforce healthy and prepared.
COVID-19 Symptoms & Triage Questionnaire
Safe to Return: Workplace Guidelines & Tools
Testing
Service Guidelines
Cleaning Protocols A healthy workforce is a productive workforce! Schedule your Workplace Readiness Assessment by calling 985-850-6214 or visit TGMC.com to learn more.
HOW CAN TGMC HELP YOU?
• Employee Health Risk Screenings • Virtual Options • Wellness Tips • Helpful Educational Resources • Continuous COVID-19 Updates • Nurse Hotline for Frequently Asked Questions