HJBR Sep/Oct 2019

58 SEP / OCT 2019  I  Healthcare Journal of Baton Rouge   Hospital Rounds Taylor Always Remembering Others Award in honor of his wife to Eusea in recognition of “self- less assistance of others.”  Registered Dietitian Cathy Carmichael of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center pro- vided the keynote speech and told the graduates that healthcare and changing technology will offer them many opportunities. FranciscanMissionaries of Our Lady Health SystemNames Richard R. Vath, MD, President and CEO The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System announced that Richard R. Vath, MD, is president and CEO. Vath has served as inter- im-president and CEO since March 2019.  “We are pleased to announce Dr. Richard Vath’s appointment as our health system’s president and CEO,” said Sister Barbara Arceneaux, regional minister, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady. “Character in the face of adversity is often a true test of leadership. I will always be grateful for Dr. Vath’s willingness to quickly step into an interim role as our health system leader earlier this spring. Woman’s Hospital’s Drake Bellanger, MD, Earns Board Certification in ObesityMedicine Woman’s Hospital‘s Drake Bellanger, MD recently earned a certification by the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM), signifying a specialized knowledge in the practice of obesity medicine and distinguishing physicians who have achieved competency in obesity care. He is one of only three physicians board-certified in obesity medicine in the Baton Rouge region. Officially recognized as a disease by the Amer- ican Medical Association in 2013, obesity now affects nearly 35 percent of U.S. adults, contrib- uting to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, and other musculoskeletal and vascular problems.  “Obesity is the most prevalent chronic disease in our society, especially here in South Louisiana,” Bellanger said. “For some women, weight loss is as simple as nutrition education, but for women with metabolic disorders, treatment may include medication management or surgery.” Bellanger’s practice at Woman’s Weight Loss and Diabetes Prevention Clinic is dedicated to helping women find the best individualized weight loss option utilizing innovations in fitness, nutri- tion, medicine, and surgery. He is a strong pro- ponent of preventative medicine and wellness and enjoys the opportunity in helping patients with their weight-associated needs, offering all of the latest treatments from nutrition counseling to surgery. Also board-certified in general surgery, the Gal- liano, La., native was the first surgeon in the area to perform laparoscopic weight loss surgery. He performed the first laparoscopic gastric bypass in 2000 and the first gastric banding in 2002, and to date has performed more than 2,000 weight loss surgical procedures. North Oaks Honors Nine Dietetic Interns at Graduation Ceremony North Oaks Medical Center Dietetic Internship Program recently held graduation at the E. Brent Dufreche Conference Center, located within North Oaks Diagnostic Center.  Graduates include Caitlin Bascle, Brooke Bernier, Brenna Breaux, Ashley Eusea, Jacob Lalanne, Allison Junca, Darien Loup, Brittney Rod- riguez, and Catherine Thomas. Several graduates were honored during the event. Thomas received the Mary Nelson Award that is given by the dietetic internship faculty for exceptional work and enthusiastic attitude, ded- ication to the dietetic profession, and academic excellence.  Breaux received the Carol Bertrand Award for Excellence. The award was created in memory of the late Bertrand, who was a registered dietitian and a graduate of North Oaks’ second Dietetic Internship class.  Dr. Rodney Taylor presented the Dannye Young Drake Bellanger, MD Graduates of the 2019 North Oaks Dietetic Internship Program celebrated their accomplishments at a ceremony and reception held Thursday, June 6, 2019. Pictured from left are Nutritional Services Director Ann McDaniel-Hall, Brittney Rodriguez, Catherine Thomas, Brooke Bernier, Brenna Breaux, Ashley Eusea, Darien Loup, Allison Junca, Caitlin Bascle and Dietetic Internship Director Leslie Ballard. Not pictured is Jacob Lalanne.