IN THIS ISSUE
to our committed community
Focusing on Equitable Care for All
Taking a Deep Breath: Understanding Lung Issues
Summer Educational Opportunities
Spring often symbolizes new beginnings - a season of change and growth. Over the last six months, West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH) has continued to experience growth to better meet the needs of our community.
As a healthcare organization, we remain committed to ensuring that everyone has a fair and equal opportunity to reach their full health potential. Health equity continues to be a focal point of our organization as we consistently seek ways to ensure equal access to care for all of our patients. In fact, our Women’s Center was just recognized by the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative (LaPQC) as a Louisiana Birth Ready facility, echoing our commitment to the practice of safe, equitable and dignified birthing practices.
As I reflect over the past few months, there are many reasons to celebrate:
● In January, WCCH was awarded re-accreditation in mammography by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest image quality and patient safety and is only awarded to facilities that meet ACR Practice Parameters and Technical Standards. We are proud of our mammography team.
● This February, WCCH was re-designated as a Gift facility by the Louisiana Department of Health - Office of Public Health - Bureau of Family Health and the Louisiana Commission on Perinatal Care and the Prevention of Infant Mortality. This designation highlights our commitment to increasing our breastfeeding rates and success by improving the quality of maternity education services and patient-centered care.
● On March 24, we held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for our new Calcasieu Family Physicians of WCCH - Carlyss Clinic. Drs. Jason and Kelly Fuqua, along with Garett Istre, nurse practitioner, are now available to meet the primary healthcare needs of the community.
● On March 30, WCCH honored our medical staff on National Doctors’ Day. We are incredibly grateful for their continued dedication and commitment of providing exceptional care to our community.
● In May, we celebrate National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week, which gives us a chance to recognize and celebrate our caring team members.
As we look forward to our 70th anniversary in August, we ask for your continued support. Thank you for allowing us to serve you.
Sincerely,
Janie D. Frugé
Ensuring all have access to quality health services has been a long-standing pillar at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH). From community programs to health screenings, rural health centers, and support groups, WCCH remains focused on developing and providing opportunities for everyone in our community to attain their highest level of health.
Health equity aims to ensure that no one is disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of social position or any other socially defined circumstance. Physical access, language barriers, disadvantaged communities, and even social injustices are all factors that can lead to health disparities.
“We continue our mission to provide quality healthcare for everyone in our community,” explains Matthew Welsh, diversity, equity and inclusion officer for WCCH. “Health equity is always top of mind and requires a comprehensive and continuous focus by our organization to identify and address health disparities. Our health equity task force continually reviews patient population data to identify where disparities may exist, and works collaboratively throughout the organization to minimize health inequalities.”
For the past six months, WCCH has participated in a health equity collaborative effort provided by Vizient Southern States, a resource for healthcare organizations to achieve efficient and cost-effective operations and respond to the needs of their communities.
Through this program, WCCH has:
• Assessed our organizational structure with health equity in mind
• Defined populations within our community where additional programs are needed
• Implemented policies and assistance to address those populations
• Developed a multidisciplinary health equity task force to ensure our team is continuously working to minimize health disparities in our organization and community
“Providing equitable care for every community member is imperative for us at WCCH. As the needs of our community change through the years, it’s essential that we ensure continuity of care for all citizens in our service area,” Welsh says.
Matthew Welsh, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for WCCH
Auto-immune diseases can contribute to a decline in a patient’s health. In the case of Cindy Anderson of Sulphur, it caused her quality of life to steadily fall. The treatment team at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital doggedly pursued access to a recently approved medication that has drastically turned Anderson’s life around.
“Mrs. Anderson came to us in 2021 to begin infusion treatments due to her having cold agglutinin hemolytic anemia, or CAD, a condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys its own red blood cells,” explains Donna Nevils, RN, team member with WCCH’s Ambulatory Patient Treatment Center providing outpatient treatment. “This condition caused her to become extremely weak. She eventually came to her treatments in a wheelchair and she could not be as involved as she had been in the lives of her two grandchildren.”
Her oncologist, Mohammad Khan, MD, told Anderson about a promising medication. “Enjaymo was in trials at the time I began seeing Mrs. Anderson,” explains Dr. Khan. “I told her as soon as it was available, she would be a great candidate for it.”
The Federal Drug Administration approved Enjaymo in early 2022. It was difficult to obtain due to its newness to the market. The team at WCCH worked diligently to locate a source. “We searched New Orleans, Houston, Shreveport, Lafayette and beyond trying to locate a source,” explains Nevils. “We were finally able to access it within a few weeks. Once she began taking it, in two weeks, she was able to leave her wheelchair at home. She walked into her treatment appointment, and we all celebrated with her!”
Nevils reports that Anderson’s hemoglobin rose to normal ranges within a few doses of the new medication, which meant she did not need the regular blood transfusions any longer. “CAD is a rare autoimmune disorder, literally affecting about one in a million individuals per year. According to the research, Enjaymo looks to be an effective medication, helping to alleviate the symptoms which include overall decline in health, fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, among others,” explains Dr. Khan. “It is rewarding to see the relatively quick improvement Mrs. Anderson experienced and to see her regain her quality of life.”
Anderson is back to enjoying time with her two granddaughters. “This medication changed everything for me, I’m grateful we were able to find it. Dr. Khan and the nursing staff at WCCH’s APTC are wonderful. They have always been professional and helpful. I can’t say enough good things about them,” she says.
Breathing easily is something many people take for granted. Whether at rest or doing moderate activity, taking a deep breath is natural and effortless. But, for those with pulmonary challenges, it is a different story. Lungs are part of a complex system, expanding and relaxing thousands of times each day to bring in vital oxygen and send out carbon dioxide. Problems arise when there are challenges in any part of this system.
The most common diseases and conditions of the lungs include:
• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, or COPD
• Emphysema
• Pneumonia
• Chronic bronchitis
• Lung cancer
“Some lung conditions are caused by bacterial, viral or fungal infections,” explains Clifford Courville, MD, pulmonologist and member of the WCCH medical staff. “Other lung diseases are associated with environmental factors such as asthma. Cigarette smoking is the overall leading cause of lung cancer. All of these conditions greatly inhibit the capacity for lungs to function normally, which affects a person’s overall health.”
Treatments for lung-related conditions include inhalers, medications to open the airways, respiratory therapy to breathe more efficiently, and exercises to strengthen the lungs.
“We have many options to treat those with lung obstructions, depending on the severity,” says Fidencio Davalos, MD, pulmonologist and member of the WCCH medical staff. “We work with each patient individually to tailor a treatment plan specifically for them and their environment in order to better control the symptoms and slow any progression.”
With consistent care and being proactive about lung health, people with pulmonary issues are better able to control flare-ups and live an active lifestyle.
WCCH
Clifford Courville, MD and Fidencio Davalos, MD, are currently seeing patients at 920 First Avenue in Sulphur. To
West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital goes beyond hospital walls, bringing health and wellness into the community. Honoring their commitment to community health, experts with WCCH provide opportunities for learning healthy habits.
“We’re continuously expanding events and classes for the community in a variety of convenient locations,” explains Matthew Welsh, director of marketing and communications for WCCH. “By holding them outside of the hospital, we want to bring health and wellness directly to our community, in a format that empowers residents to live their best life.” Everyday decisions greatly impact one’s overall health. The foods we eat and how much we move our bodies affects heart health, mobility, bone health, sleep, hypertension, and how we feel about ourselves. A healthy lifestyle can help prevent diseases such as diabetes, stroke and heart attacks.
So, we know we need to implement a healthy lifestyle but how? Where to start? That’s where the community outreach programs of WCCH can make it easier to take the first step.
SMART SELECTIONS: A GUIDED GROCERY STORE TOUR
WCCH debuted a new community outreach program recently called Smart Selections: A Guided Grocery Store Tour. The first one was held at Rouse’s Market in Carlyss. Cynthia Chantlin, CDCES, registered dietitian with WCCH, took participants on a tour of the grocery store, pointing out areas where healthier foods are found such as the perimeter of store and produce sections, how to read nutrition labels, how to choose snacks that are convenient and healthy, and how to determine portion size.
“We had great feedback from our participants about challenges they feel when they’re grocery shopping,” says Chantlin. “We were able to answer their questions in a real-world setting, show examples, and help them develop a plan tailored to their needs.”
Watch for upcoming Smart Selection opportunities soon.
Learning healthy cooking tips and techniques can take ordinary ingredients and turn it into a heart-healthy meal that’s delicious and nutritious. “Our cooking demonstrations are a popular event,” says Fran Landry, LDN, RD, director of nutrition services with WCCH, “because we’re preparing the recipes, going through the steps, and talking about techniques and tips. Participants can ask questions as we go through the recipes.”
Dietitians discuss meal planning and show quick and healthy recipes. Samples are provided, giving everyone a taste of the dishes prepared.
The next Healthy Meals Cooking Demonstration will be held July 18 at 11 a.m. in the WCCH Cafeteria Conference Room. For more information or to register, please call (337) 527-4261
One of the best ways to get in the habit of regular exercise is to have someone help you know how to do it. There are countless ways to work movement into our days, and it makes it easier to have a certified, trained exercise specialist to break it all down into manageable pieces. That’s one of the benefits of Dynamic Dimensions Fitness Centers; their trained staff will motivate, assist, and tailor workouts for individuals.
“Exercising on a consistent basis is one of the keys to healthy living,” says Suzy Trahan, LDN, RDN, director of Dynamic Dimensions Fitness Centers of WCCH. “A varied routine can help keep things fresh. We can create a workout that incorporates cardio, weight training, flexibility, and group exercises, depending on what each person enjoys. The best exercise routine is one that will be done consistently.”
With locations in Sulphur and Moss Bluff, DDF makes it convenient and fun to get moving. For more information, visit www.dynamicfitnesscenters.com.
These programs and many others underscore WCCH’s commitment to community health. From support groups to community activities, experts with WCCH make healthy living a priority.
Smart Selections: A Healthy Grocery Store Tour Healthy Meals Cooking Demonstration Dynamic Dimensions Fitness CentersChildren with challenges are invited to West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital’s Camp Smiling F.A.C.E.S. (Fishing, Arts and Crafts, and Equestrian skills) for a week of activities and fun.
Physical challenges such as autism, spina bifida, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and others are often limiting, but at Camp Smiling F.A.C.E.S., campers can reach unlimited potential and success as they enjoy traditional summer camp activities in a safe, helpful environment.
JUNE 6 – 8
8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center, 886 Landry Road, Sulphur Ages 4 – 12 | Cost: $65
Registration deadline is Friday, May 19 To register, please call (337) 625-3972
Are You Interested in Volunteering?
Volunteers must be 16 yrs. and older. All volunteers will have the opportunity to earn up to 15 community service hours.
With the help of volunteers and support from our community, we are able to make camp happen for these children. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, visit www.wcch.com/services/therapeutic-riding-center or call (337) 625-3972
Learn important skills for babysitting with the SafeSitter® program. This nationally recognized, medically accurate babysitting preparation program is designed for boys and girls ages 11 to 13. Participants will be taught:
• How to recognize and handle medical emergencies
• How to handle specific ages
• Prevent problem behavior
• Business of babysitting
Wednesdays, June 21 and July 12
Sulphur Dynamic Dimensions
Fitness Center
545 Cypress Street, Sulphur
Tuesdays, June 13 and July 18
Moss Bluff Dynamic Dimensions Fitness Center
602 Sam Houston Jones Parkway, Moss Bluff
• 11 – 13 years old and/or entering 6th grade to completed 8th grade
• 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Cost is $35
• Students need to be pre-registered/paid and bring their own lunches.
To register, please visit www.wcch.com/ events/safe-sitter. For questions, please contact Christa O’Neal at (337) 527-4361 or email coneal@wcch.com
Watch
For questions about any of the information in this publication, call the West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital marketing department at (337) 528-4735.
Richard R. Roe, IV, MD, anesthesiologist, was recently named medical director of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital’s (WCCH’s) anesthesiology services. As medical director, Roe will provide oversight of anesthesia patient care services for the organization. Dr. Roe is a graduate of the LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport and completed his anesthesiology residency at Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans. He is board certified in anesthesiology by the American Board of Anesthesiology and is a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Louisiana Society of Anesthesiologists and currently sits on the board of the Louisiana Society of Anesthesiologists PAC. Dr. Roe is also active in the community serving as a member of the SOWELA School of Nursing and Allied Health Advisory Committee, and possesses a passion for philanthropy.
From preparation, to evacuation, to the possibility of returning home to different conditions, we must expect the unexpected when it comes to hurricane season. Planning can help you reduce anxiety and feel better prepared.
Keep these tips in mind as you plan:
• Bundle your medication in one bag or tote to ensure you bring all of it if you need to evacuate. Stay up on any refills needed. If you bring your original prescription bottle, most pharmacies will be able to refill from the information on the bottle.
• Stock up on non-perishable foods such as peanut butter, protein bars and powdered milk along with foods that do not need refrigeration such as apples and bananas. These foods will travel well and keep you fueled with vitamins and minerals.
• Have plenty of water on hand. Staying hydrated is important and you may need the water for a quick clean up or to brush your teeth if the water supply is affected by a storm.
• Create a travel plan with your family or friends. Stay in touch so you know the plans of people in your family, or your friends, so you can share information as needed.
