HJBR Sep/Oct 2019

Healthcare Journal of BATON ROUGE I  SEP / OCT 2019 39 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalBR.com became the first in Louisiana to receive facil- ity certification from the Medical Fitness Associ- ation (MFA),which recognizes facilities that feature the professional expertise and programming nec- essary to safely and effectively provide medical exercise and promote health and wellness. Add- ing to its unique and specialized offerings, Wom- an’s Center for Wellness has welcomed Samantha Preston, certified ACSM medical exercise physi- ologist, to its team. A medical exercise physiologist (MEP) is a medically trained and certified professional that focuses on improving the health and fitness con- ditions of those with different medical concerns by designing and supervising exercises for indi- viduals with acute and chronic health disorders, including but not limited to cardiovascular dis- ease, metabolic disorders, and cancer. An MEP assesses a patient’s abilities and works with them to improve overall health and mobility by pro- viding specific health education and exercise programming. “Exercise is not one size fits all, especially for those affected by chronic disorders,” said Pres- ton. “The Medical Exercise Program is a special- ized program that is created based on each indi- vidual patient’s needs and current fitness level.” Using a series of tests and evaluation tools, the MEP designs a unique fitness plan that will meet the patient’s goals and needs, including building endurance and strength, and increasing flexibility and overall fitness. The main aim of an MEP is to: - Improve the quality and efficiency of movement - Reduce pain and limitations - Restore function to patients so they can enjoy and/or return to a more active lifestyle Woman’s Center for Wellness has implemented programs to serve prenatal and postnatal women, cancer survivors, those suffering with arthritis, and those at-risk for developing diabetes. The facility also offers several weight management options. With the aid of an in-house wellness navigator, members, patients, and clients easily transition between fitness, medical exercise, and therapy. Our Lady of the LakeWelcomes Dr. Jorge Castellanos to Louisiana Cardiology Associates Jorge Castellanos, MD, FACC, FSCAI, has joined Our Lady of the Lake Louisiana Cardiology Associates where he will specialize in diagnosing and treating a variety of cardiovascular diseases.  “We welcome Dr. Castellanos to Baton Rouge and Our Lady of the Lake,” said Dr. Andrew Smith, medical director of Specialty Care for Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group. “He brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge on the latest innovative treatments for cardiovascu- lar disease. His specialization in treating structural heart disease will be an asset to our community. ”  Castellanos is an interventional cardiologist with additional specialized training in structural heart disease. Structural heart disease is a defect involv- ing the tissues or valves of the heart from wear and tear; but for many, structural heart disease is present at birth.  Castellanos completed a fellowship in cardio- vascular disease and interventional cardiology at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, La., where he was chief cardiology fellow. He practiced in Hammond, La., prior to complet- ing a structural heart fellowship at Swedish Heart and Vascular Institute in Seattle, Wash. Castellanos is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Board of Nuclear Car- diology, Cardiovascular Disease Board, and the Interventional Cardiology Board. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC) and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention (FSCAI). His hobbies include travel- ing, live music, playing guitar and independent films. Pennington: TwoWeeks at High Altitude Improves Glucose Tolerance  According to a study by Pennington Biomed- ical, for people with type 2 diabetes, 14 nights of altitude exposure (or hypoxia), roughly 7,900 feet above sea level, improves glucose tolerance. Nightly exposure to hypoxia could become a novel new treatment for people with prediabe- tes and type 2 diabetes. Hypoxia exposure, like exercise, improves insu- lin sensitivity. That means a person needs less insulin to lower his or her blood sugar levels. In a new study, eight adults slept for 14 nights in tents that lower oxygen levels. The study shows hypoxia improved the way their bodies use insulin. The results build upon a previous Penning- ton Biomedical study, which demonstrated that only 10 nights of moderate hypoxia significantly improved insulin sensitivity in people with obe- sity but no diabetes. The researchers hope to develop a larger trial to assess whether moderate hypoxia can be developed into a safe, home treatment. Cecile Castello Receives Health Hero Award fromLouisiana Department of Health Cecile Castello has received the Health Hero Award from the Louisiana Department of Health. Given by Dr. Rebekah Gee, secretary of the Department of Health, the award recognizes indi- viduals for their commitment to improving the health of Louisiana’s residents. Castello has served as director of the Health Standards Section within the Department of Health since 2012. Her team is responsible for licensing reviews and certifications of all Louisiana Samantha Preston, ACSM Jorge Castellanos, MD, FACC, FSCAI