HJBR May/Jun 2019

56 MAY / JUN 2019  I  Healthcare Journal of Baton Rouge   Hospital Rounds $340 million replacement campus, which opened in August of 2012 with increased capacity for ser- vices and expansion. Recent notable achieve- ments include a strategic partnership with Mary Bird Perkins-Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center to open the region’s only specialized breast and gynecologic cancer facility in one location. The Birth Center of Baton Rouge, a midwife model of care facility, recently moved to the campus of Woman’s to provide a continuum to the hospital’s core obstetrical service. “Woman’s is in a position of strength, and I’m confident that it will continue to be a national leader in women’s and infants’ health. We are financially strong, have an excellent reputation, and our services are highly sought after. Most importantly, we have a talented, dedicated, and compassionate team of physicians and staff, and an amazing culture,” Fontenot said. “New per- spectives and leadership will allow Woman’s to further develop unique opportunities to fulfill its mission to improve the health of women and infants.” Fontenot’s leadership service to the health- care field includes numerous state and national healthcare boards, including the American Hos- pital Association. She was elected chair of the AHA in 2012, being the only Louisianan to serve in that role in the AHA’s 120 year existence, and was the fifth female chair. Other healthcare ser- vice includes a six-year term on the Advisory Committee on Research on Women’s Health for the National Institutes of Health, and chair of the board of the Louisiana Hospital Association. She currently serves on the LHA Professional and General Liability Insurance Funds board and was board chair for over a decade. She is also on the American College of Healthcare Executives Board of Governors. Other governance service includes 12 years on the board of directors of the Sixth District Federal Reserve Bank, and as the Audit Committee chair, and the New Orleans Federal Reserve branch board. She is currently an independent director on the boards of Amerisafe (AMSF) and LHC Group (LHCG), the Baton Rouge Water Company, and the Baton Rouge advisory board for IBERIABANK. Fontenot was named Businessperson of the Year in 2013 by Baton Rouge Business Report, received the inaugural Becker’s Hospital Review Healthcare Mary Bird Perkins-OLOL Cancer Center Holds Fest for Life Event After hosting more than a decade of cancer screenings in a fun, festive environment, Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Cen- ter’s Fest for Life was held April 13 in a new loca- tion—downtown Baton Rouge. With the goal of continuing to save lives through early detection while providing fun for the whole family, this year’s event was held on Fourth Street between North Street and Spanish Town Road. In addition to health screenings, the event included music, free t-shirts, fun activities for children and adults, and the chance to win prizes. Johnnay Benjamin, direc- tor of early detection and education for the Can- cer Center, said that 21 people have been diag- nosed with cancer through Fest for Life, and other diseases have been detected as well. “The relaxed, family-friendly environment at Fest for Life takes some of the fear out of cancer education and early detection,” said Benjamin. Since 2008, more than 5,400 individuals have been screened for cancer at Fest for Life. Free cancer screenings included colorectal, breast, prostate, skin, and oral cavity. All screenings were available to those who had not been screened for cancer in the past 12 months. While the focus of Fest for Life is always on can- cer education and early detection, the event goes beyond this one disease and addresses other health problems impacting the city’s residents. In addition to cancer, mortality rates continue to soar for conditions such as high blood pressure, obe- sity, and diabetes. As a result, blood pressure and glucose checks were offered. Tonja McMillan understands the importance of early detection after discovering a lump in her breast during a self-examination. “Early detec- tion saved my life. I had put off going to the doc- tor because of my busy schedule, taking care of my son and managing my hair salon. Luckily, one of my clients mentioned the free screenings pro- vided by the Cancer Center and I knew if I didn’t go then, I never would,” said McMillan, pictured with her son. Fortunately, McMillan’s cancer was detected at an early stage and has an excellent prognosis. She served as the honorary chair for the 2019 Fest for Life event. Tonja is just one example of the power of early detection and the importance of being proactive if you have the slightest feeling that something isn’t right,” said Benjamin. Teri Fontenot, Woman’s Hospital President and CEO, Announces Retirement After serving as president and CEO of Wom- an’s Hospital for more than 23 years, Teri Fontenot has announced her plan to retire in late summer of 2019. “On behalf of the Board, I would like to sincerely thank Teri for her invaluable leadership and signifi- cant contributions to Woman’s. For more than two decades, she has represented us across the state and nation with both determination and grace,” said Renee Harris, MD, Woman's Hospital Foun- dation Board chair. “Under Teri’s direction, Wom- an’s has not only remained steadfast in its mis- sion to improve the health of women and infants, but has strengthened its role in the community through expanded services and strategic part- nerships. She has led the organization in growing beyond its original Baton Rouge roots, reaching throughout the state and region with breast and gynecologic cancer care and specialized obstet- rical services. Her leadership has positioned us for the future in an ever-changing healthcare environment.” Fontenot began her career at Woman’s in 1992 as chief financial officer, and became CEO in 1996. Under Fontenot’s leadership, Woman’s became the largest birthing hospital and neonatal inten- sive care unit in Louisiana, and is the only inde- pendent, nonprofit women’s hospital in the coun- try. Fontenot has also led tremendous growth and development for the organization that includes a Teri Fontenot