HJBR Nov/Dec 2020

36 NOV / DEC 2020  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs America. “The ability to make a difference in patient care with imaging is a continuously evolving endeavor. I have found radiology to be a compelling spe- cialty, which feeds my passion for learning the sci- ence of medicine as well as applying that knowl- edge to benefit lives,” said Harris. Louisiana Healthcare Connections Named Outstanding Employer of the Year by LANurses Foundation For the fourth consecutive year, Louisiana Healthcare Connections has been named the Outstanding Employer of the Year by the Louisi- ana Nurses Foundation. The annual award recog- nizes a Louisiana company that supports nurses and fosters professional growth, achievement, and innovation in the nursing profession. “Every day, and especially now in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses are working tirelessly to deliver compassionate, quality care to the residents of Louisiana. We are fortunate to have so many of these knowledgeable, dedi- cated nurses on our staff to coordinate care for our members,” said John Kight, DNP, RN, FNPC, senior vice president of population health for Louisiana Healthcare Connections. “This award exemplifies the outstanding work our nurses do each day, and we are honored to receive it on their behalf.” The Nightingale Award recognizes the com- pany’s investment in the professional growth of nurses through internal and external learning opportunities, innovation awards, and workplace recognition programs. “As nurses, we are on the frontlines of health- care delivery, and regardless of where the care is delivered, the goal is always the same: to help someone achieve better health,” said Sommer Williams, BSN, RN, CCM, manager of medical management. “Louisiana Healthcare Connec- tions shares its nurses’ passion for helping oth- ers, appreciates our experience and knowledge, and demonstrates a commitment to our profes- sional advancement. I am proud to be among its many nurses.” The Louisiana Nurses Foundation established the Nightingale Awards to recognize registered nurses and healthcare institutions across the state for demonstrating leadership, clinical excellence, and quality service in the nursing profession. Area Organizations Receive Grants to Address Hunger, School Preparedness Louisiana Healthcare Connections announced that five 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 eligible organizations in implementing innovative solutions to address the social service and healthcare needs of those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations selected for funding awards include: • C.W. Outreach Center, in Homer, La., for its FEED Kitchen Project • The Emerge Center, in Baton Rouge, for its Bloom Program • New Orleans Musicians Assistance Foun- dation, in New Orleans, for its Meals for a Mission program • Kingsley House, Inc., in New Orleans, for its COVID-19 Recovery KADC Program • St. Mary Parish School Board and West St. Mary High School, in Baldwin, La., for COVID-19 school preparedness activities 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 fund- ing. Organizations with approved proposals will receive grant funds within 30 days. Additional information about COVID-19 Recov- ery Grants Program as well as the formal RFP are available online at www.LouisianaHealthConnect. com/grants. Questions may be directed to Com- munityGrants@LouisianaHealthConnect.com . Capital Area Human Services Board of Directors Announces Jan Laughinghouse, PhD, as Executive Director The board of directors of the Capital Area Human Services (CAHS) announced the appoint- ment of its interim executive director, Jan Laughinghouse, PhD, LCSW-BACS, as the agen- cy’s new executive director. The appointment is effective immediately. Laughinghouse served as interim executive director for the past seven months, after the retirement of Jan Kasofsky, PhD, who served as the behavioral health agency’s leader for 23 years. According to CAHS Board Chair Gerri Hobdy, “The board unanimously appointed Dr. Laugh- inghouse based on her excellent credentials and demonstrated capacity to lead CAHS during these unprecedented times of uncertainty. The board’s vote demonstrates its confidence in her abilities to assure that our most vulnerable popu- lations receive quality care and services.” Upon the board’s decision, Laughinghouse said, “It is an honor to lead Capital Area Human Ser- vices in its mission of delivering quality care and responsive services that lead to a better tomor- row for those we serve. I will continue to part- ner with our stakeholders and other community leaders to help individuals with behavioral health needs and developmental disabilities through innovation and improving access to services.” Laughinghouse joined the agency in 2014 and served as addiction recovery program director of CAHS’s Addiction Recovery Services Division. She received a doctoral degree in human devel- opment and family studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is a licensed clinical social worker and board-approved clini- cal supervisor. Laughinghouse is known in the region for her knowledge of addiction and the stigmas related to addiction. She has developed effective strate- gies for serving specialized populations affected Jan Laughinghouse, PhD, LCSW-BACS