HJBR Nov/Dec 2019

36 NOV / DEC 2019  I  Healthcare Journal of baton rouge   Healthcare Briefs proceeds, in the amount of $1,034.40, were gifted to Women United of Capital Area United Way. Co-sponsors of the event were Bard, Boston Scientific, RKM Primary Care, Baton Rouge Gen- eral, and WVLA. Louisiana Hospital Association Honors Cathey, Fontenot as LifetimeMembers The Louisiana Hospital Association (LHA) recently honored Teri G. Fontenot, FACHE, CEO Emeritus of Woman’s Hospital, and James E. “Jimmy” Cathey, Jr., CEO Emeritus of North Oaks Health System, as lifetime members of the Asso- ciation in recognition of their substantial contri- butions to the hospital industry in Louisiana and their communities. Cathey has been a member of the LHA for more than 30 years, holding several leadership posi- tions, including serving as chair of the Louisiana Health Association’s Board of Trustees from 2017 to 2018. He also served as an at-large member of the LHA board and as the Southeast District president and trustee. “We applaud Jimmy for his passion, vision and dedication to advancing patient care in our state, and we are grateful for his years of insight- ful leadership on various committees that gov- ern the association,” said LHA President & CEO Paul A. Salles. Cathey served as the CEO of North Oaks Health System from 1986 to 2016. In December of 2016, he was named CEO emeritus. He retired in Aug. of 2018. Fontenot has been a member of the LHA for more than 20 years, holding several leadership positions on the Louisiana Health Association’s Board of Trustees, including serving as chair in 2002. She also served on the LHA Management Corporation Board, HOSPAAC Board, LHA Trust Funds Board, and LHA CEO Search Committee. “Teri’s knowledge, experience and compassion set her apart as an extraordinary leader,” said Salles. “We are grateful for her commitment to healthcare in Louisiana, which has greatly bene- fited from her involvement with various commit- tees that govern the association.” Fontenot joined Woman’s Hospital in 1992 as the chief financial officer and assumed the role of chief executive officer in 1996. In March of 2019, Louisiana Healthcare Connections Gives HOPE Ministries a Community Health Grant Louisiana Healthcare Connections presented HOPE Ministries in Baton Rouge with a plaque and special banner on Aug. 28, recognizing the organization as a 2019 Community Health Grant Awardee. The Community Health Grants pro- gram provides grant funding for eligible health- care providers, schools, and nonprofit organiza- tions across the state to support community-level projects that address hunger and food insecurity. HOPE Ministries received grant funding to expand and renovate its Client Choice Food Pan- try, which serves more than 15,000 clients each year. Pictured, left to right, are Toya Pierce, Lou- isiana Healthcare Connections case manage- ment community liaison; Chris Broussard, Loui- siana Healthcare Connections vice president of marketing; Janet Simmons, HOPE Ministries pres- ident & CEO; and Cristy Davidson, HOPE Minis- tries volunteer and program supervisor. Premier Health Becomes First Urgent Care Operator in U.S. to Earn Antibiotic Stewardship Commendation Premier Health is the first urgent care operator in the U.S. to earn the "Antibiotic Stewardship Commendation." The Antibiotic Stewardship Commendation program was created by the Urgent Care Asso- ciation and College of Urgent Care Medicine to recognize those urgent care operators that dem- onstrate an outstanding commitment to respon- sible prescribing practices of antibiotics. According to the CDC, each year in the U.S. as many as two million people get an antibiotic- resistant infection, and at least 23,000 people die as a result of antimicrobial resistance. This pro- gram sets the parameters for healthcare provid- ers to prescribe the right drug, in the right dose, for the right duration. "Premier Health is excited to have been one of the first nationwide urgent care operators to beta test this critically important initiative and is proud to be the first organization to earn the Anti- biotic Stewardship Commendation," according to Kevin DiBenedetto, M.D., chief medical officer. "Urgent care clinics are really the first line of defense in battling the inappropriate use of anti- biotics because so many of the patients that visit our clinics with obvious viral infections believe antibiotics will make them feel better. The Antibi- otic Stewardship Commendation program gives urgent care providers the clinical and educational support necessary to address patients' concerns and avoid prescribing antibiotics that are clearly not necessary." Premier Health CEO Steve Sellars said, "Pre- mier fully supports the UCA when it says antibi- otic resistance is a serious threat across the entire healthcare industry. We feel like our urgent care providers do a good job of monitoring antibiotic use in our clinics, but we can always do better. We think leading the way with an industry-wide initiative like this is clear evidence Premier takes its role as a responsible provider of urgent care very seriously." The Antibiotic Stewardship Commendation Program requires urgent care centers to provide information demonstrating their compliance with the Core Elements of Outpatient Antibiotic Stew- ardship program developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CIS Presents Inaugural Heels for Hearts Event forWomen Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) hosted the inaugural Heels for Hearts event on Oct. 3 at the LSU Museum of Art on Lafayette Street, where 100 guests were in attendance. The evening focused on women’s cardiac health, with a panel of physicians and well- ness experts, a heart-healthy meal, interactive games, door prizes, and fellowship. The event Teri G. Fontenot, FACHE, CEO