On June 28, community members gathered at Our Lady of the Lake North to celebrate five years of the Geaux Get Healthy clinical program, a community wellness initiative that is improving access to nutritious food and empowering healthier lives across Baton Rouge.
“Geaux Get Healthy reflects the heart of our mission, to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ by improving the health of those most in need,” said Chuck Spicer, president, Our Lady of the Lake Health. “This program is a powerful example of how we live that mission beyond the walls of our hospitals, by meeting people where they are. Through community partnerships and compassion-driven outreach, we’re helping to build a healthier Louisiana.”
Geaux Get Healthy consists of a coalition of local organizations working collaboratively to reduce food insecurity in Baton Rouge’s highest-needs neighborhoods and to co-create a thriving local food landscape. As part of a public-private partnership established in 2013, Our Lady of the Lake Health and LSU Health Sciences work together to expand access to care and health resources through the clinical program.
“Nutrition is a powerful tool for improving health, and Geaux Get Healthy puts that into practice in a way that’s both accessible and impactful,” said Tiffany Wesley Ardoin, MD, Geaux Get Healthy clinical program director and internal medicine physician. “We’re seeing people take charge of their health by cooking more at home, understanding nutrition labels, and managing chronic conditions with more confidence. That kind of change transforms lives. It’s a privilege to be part of that process.”
In partnership with the larger coalition, Geaux Get Healthy and their community partners have:
-Distributed more than 499,000 pounds of fresh produce to families
-Reached more than 89,900 community members across Baton Rouge with free nutrition education
-Enrolled 770 participants in cooking classes and grocery store tours in collaboration with Sprouts Farmers Market and Dollar General
Eligible participants in the Geaux Get Healthy program receive nutrition education classes that include a guided grocery store tour, cooking class, a Dollar General gift card, and connections to other valuable community resources.