HJBR Nov/Dec 2020

28 NOV / DEC 2020  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs our members to know that we are here to help.” The Healthy Louisiana Medicaid health plan offers the following resources and support ser- vices to members affected by the storm: • Members in the affected areas who need help replacing medications, medical equip- ment, and/or Member ID cards that were lost or damaged can call Member Services at (866) 595-8133 (Hearing Loss: 711), Mon- day – Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., for expedited assistance. • Members who were evacuated and have not been able to return home are reminded that referrals are not required to visit any in-network provider, including primary care physicians, urgent care centers, and spe- cialists. Members who need help locat- ing a provider near them may call Mem- ber Services or visit https://ProviderSearch. LouisianaHealthConnect.com. • Members are reminded that in a medical emergency, they may always receive care at any emergency care provider, in or out of network. • For assistance with health and prescription questions, and locating a provider after hours, members may call (866) 595-8133 and say, “Nurse,” to be connected to a regis- tered nurse (RN) who will assist them. • Members who need emotional or mental health support are encouraged to call our free crisis hotline at (844) 677-7553 (Hearing Loss: (800) 846-5277) to speak to a licensed mental health counselor. Acadian Ambulance Names EMT, Paramedic of the Year Each year, Acadian Ambulance recognizes its exceptional medics for their tireless work ethic and dedication. All finalists are known as out- standing paramedics and EMTs who display exemplary attitudes and provide excellent patient care. Liz Hill was selected as Acadian’s EMT of the Year; Jeremy Brown was selected as Acadian’s Paramedic of the Year. Both individuals represent Acadian’s Southwest Louisiana service area Hill has been with Acadian for two years and has established herself as a courteous, compas- sionate and professional patient care provider. She serves as a field training officer and an adjunct EMT instructor for National EMS Acad- emy. She is currently studying to earn her para- medic certification. “Learning countless things from coworkers and patients, gaining more experience from industry veterans, meeting all types of people in a mul- titude of situations, and advancing in this life- long career that I love, are all part of what makes me feel successful. Being chosen as EMT of the Year is an additional ‘checkmark,’ both person- ally and professionally. Being nominated by my peers makes this honor all the more meaning- ful,” Hill said. Brown has been with Acadian for 10 years, work- ing in ground operations and dispatch, and cur- rently serves as an associate quality improve- ment coordinator for his region. In addition to his medic duties, Brown is a field training officer, Acadia Parish Explorer post advisor, and critical incident stress management counselor. “I have always looked at myself as a small-town guy. I started my journey in EMS trying to emulate the paramedics I have looked up to. To now have others seeing me the way that they do is just over- whelming to me. I love being a paramedic more than anything. Being honored with this recogni- tion, that I never considered attainable, is beyond my wildest imagination,” Brown said. Acadian Ambulance is one of the largest ambu- lance services in the nation, offering emergency and non-emergency transportation to areas in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Tennessee. They are employee-owned and accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services. Local Organizations Receive COVID-19 Recovery Grants Louisiana Healthcare Connections announced that six community-based organizations have been awarded funding through the health plan’s COVID-19 Recovery Grants Program. The COVID-19 Recovery Grants Program awards grants of up to $5,000 each to assist eli- gible organizations in implementing innovative solutions to address the social service and health- care needs of those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations selected for funding awards include: • Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, of Baton Rouge, for its food delivery boxes for patients • Open Doors Louisiana, of Lafayette, for its rental assistance and homelessness diver- sion program • Volunteers of American-Southeast Louisi- ana, of New Orleans, for its care resource coordination program • United Way of Acadiana, of Lafayette, for its food delivery program for homebound individuals • Line 4 Line-O’Neil’s Barber & Beauty Salon, of Baton Rouge, for its ‘Bounce Back’ program • West Feliciana Voluntary Council on Aging, of St. Francisville, for operational funding The COVID-19 Recovery Grants Program con- tinues to accept funding proposals from non- profit, Louisiana-based organizations that serve the Medicaid population. Grant proposals are reviewed weekly. Proposals may be approved, declined or held for consideration for later Liz Hill Jeremy Brown