HJBR Jul/Aug 2019

Healthcare Journal of BATON ROUGE I  JUL / AUG 2019 33 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalBR.com pick up guitars, drums, and microphones for a benefit concert that raised funds to advance can- cer care.  Surgical oncologist John Lyons, MD, with Mary Bird Perkins-Our Lady of the Lake Can- cer Center teamed up with regional nonprofit organization FestiGals to produce the second annual Baton Rouge Rock for Spots. A one-night benefit concert supporting patients with melanoma and other forms of skin and soft tissue cancer, Rock for Spots was held June 8 at the Varsity Theatre in Baton Rouge. The event featured four rock bands – Fret Medics, V – Tones, Blue Verse, and Jerry C & the Malignancy – all comprised of local physicians and medical profes- sionals. All proceeds will benefit diagnosis, treat- ment, and support for skin and soft tissue can- cer patients at Mary Bird Perkins-Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center. “We’re overwhelmed by the incredible support at Rock for Spots last year,” said Lyons. “So many of us already donate time and proceeds from our music hobby to local charities, so it makes sense to focus those efforts on cancer care – and we have a great time in the process. We’re very excited about this year’s event.” Skin cancer is the most common form of can- cer in the U.S., but can easily be detected; and it is often curable, if caught early. Melanoma is the one of the most lethal form of skin cancer, but it can be detected by checking skin regularly for moles or skin changes. “Our excellent team of surgical, radiation, and medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, and other specialists provide the highest level of care for those diagnosed with skin cancer, but funding is necessary for us to offer the latest tools, technologies, and resources,” said Ethan Bush, vice president and chief development officer, Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center. “And there’s always so much more we want to do in terms of greater awareness for sun safety, prevention, and early detection. We are thrilled about how well this event was received last year, and we appreciate of Dr. Lyons and all the other doctors and musicians who participate in Rock for Spots to not only raise funds for local cancer patients, but also show our community great time.” Louisiana Primary Care Association Receives Grant for Rural Opioid Response The Louisiana Primary Care Association (LPCA) has been selected to receive $200,000 in grant funding to support Community Health Centers in the treatment and prevention of opioid abuse in rural communities. LPCA has been selected as one of 120 grant recipients to receive funding as part of HRSA’s Rural Communities Opioid Response (RCORP) planning grant process. According to HRSA, more than 130 people a day die from opioid-related drug overdoses. While communities across the nation struggle to combat this epidemic, rural populations have been shown to be especially vulnerable. Eco- nomic hardship, poverty, lack of transportation, the stigma of addiction, provider shortages, and a need for additional resources have all contrib- uted to a rise in opioid use in rural communities. Recognizing this growing problem, HRSA’s Fed- eral Office of Rural Health Policy has worked to support its grantees with resources, technical assistance, and training to integrate behavioral healthcare services into practice settings and communities. Recipients across 40 states will receive $200,000 for one year to formalize partnerships with local stakeholders, conduct needs assessments, and develop plans to implement and sustain sub- stance use disorder (SUD), including opioid use disorder (OUD), prevention, treatment, and recov- ery interventions. LPCA will use these funds to provide leader- ship and technical assistance to five rural Commu- nity Health Centers. This consortium will develop and plan the roll out of protocols that result in increased access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services in the rural communities at the highest risk of substance abuse disorder.   “This funding will be of great benefit to our rural Community Health Centers,” said Gerrelda Davis, LPCA executive director. “Our members have taken a leading role in combating the effects of the opioid epidemic in Louisiana.” While this funding is geared toward capacity Funds raised at the annual Rock for Spots event on June 8 will go toward supporting skin and soft tissue cancer patients at Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center. Pictured are, left to right, Dr. John Lyons, Lindsay Guidry, Sam Politz, Dr. Matthew Stair, and Fernand Guidry. They are members of the Fret Medics, who played for the event.