HJBR Mar-Apr 2019

Healthcare Journal of Baton Rouge I  MAR / APR 2019 61 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalBR.com device is placed into a part of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA). Ninety percent of stroke-causing blood clots that come from the heart form in the LAA. The Watchman device per- manently closes off this part of the heart to keep those clots from escaping. The non-invasive pro- cedure takes about an hour, and patients typ- ically stay one to two days in the hospital. The implanted device is about the size of a quarter.  “A person with AFib is five times more likely to suffer a stroke than someone with a regular heart- beat,” said LaMotte, interventional cardiologist at Baton Rouge Cardiology Center. “We are on the forefront of cardiac care with this new procedure, and it is truly something to consider if you or your family member falls in this category.” Lane Regional Medical Staff Elects Officers for 2019 Nikki Gautreaux, MD, has been elected chief of staff at Lane Regional Medical Center for 2019. Joining Gautreaux as medical staff officers for 2019 are Charles Thompson, MD, vice chief of staff; Will Freeman, MD, secretary/treasurer; and Adam Whatley, MD, medical staff representative to the board. Gautreaux, obstetrician/gynecologist at Lane OB/GYN, has been a member of Lane Regional’s medical staff since 2013. Thompson, interventional cardiologist at Cardio- vascular Institute of the South, has been a mem- ber of Lane Regional’s medical staff since 2006. Freeman, emergency medicine physician in Lane’s Emergency Department, has been a mem- ber of Lane Regional’s medical staff since 1999. Whatley, orthopaedic surgeon at Baton Rouge Orthopaedic Clinic, has been a member of Lane Regional’s medical staff since 2010. Our Lady of the Lake First in State to Receive Distinguished Heart Accreditation Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center recently received the American College of Car- diology’s (ACC) Chest Pain Center Accreditation and was recognized as the first facility in Louisi- ana to be awarded their Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Accreditation after a rigorous onsite evaluation of the healthcare team’s ability to evaluate, diag- nose, and treat patients experiencing a variety of heart complications. “Five years ago, we opened our Heart and Vascular Institute as an investment to provide the best and most comprehensive heart care for our region,” said K. Scott Wester, president and CEO of Our Lady of the Lake. “I’m proud of our exceptional team of physicians and clinicians who support these important life-saving efforts in our community. Accreditations such as this highlight the excellence in heart care we provide at Our Lady of the Lake.” Facilities that achieve accreditation meet or exceed an array of stringent criteria and have organized a team of doctors, nurses, clinicians, and other administrative staff that support the efforts leading to better patient education, improved patient outcomes, and more effective and efficient disease control.  “As the leading healthcare provider for heart care in the Baton Rouge region, these recogni- tions highlight what sets Our Lady of the Lake apart,” said Dr. Steven Gremillion, cardiologist and chief medical officer at Our Lady of the Lake. “Whether you’re experiencing heart failure or a heart attack, our team has the experience and resources necessary to provide the most com- prehensive care.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 730,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. The most com- mon symptom of a heart attack for both men and women is chest pain or discomfort. However, women are more likely to have atypical symp- toms. Other heart attack symptoms include, but are not limited to, tingling or discomfort in one or both arms, back, shoulder, neck or jaw; shortness of breath; cold sweats; unusual tiredness; heart- burn-like feeling; nausea or vomiting; and sudden dizziness and fainting.  AFib is a common arrhythmia where the heart- beat is irregular and often rapid, which can lead to increased risk of stroke, heart failure, and other complications. It affects more than two million Americans. Certain factors may increase your risk of developing atrial fibrillation such as age, heart disease, high blood pressure, chronic conditions such as thyroid problems and sleep apnea, drink- ing alcohol, obesity, and family history. Baton Rouge General Hosts TwoMartin Luther King, Jr. Day Services Baton Rouge General (BRG) recently hosted two services honoring the work and life of Dr. Mar- tin Luther King, Jr. Perry Franklin was the guest speaker at both events, and the public was invited to attend. Franklin was a member of BRG’s board of trust- ees for nine years. His company, Franklin Associ- ates, ranks near the top of the LSU 100, a list of the 100 fastest growing businesses owned or led Nikki Gautreaux, MD Charles Thompson, MD Will Freeman, MD AdamWhatley, MD