HJBR Jul/Aug 2021

28 JUL / AUG 2021  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs lawmakers can help make carrying water bottles the new normal in public schools and thank Rep. Pierre and members of the House Education committee for moving this legislation forward.” According to the American Heart Association, the cost of a water refill station compared to a water fountain is nominal in the process of con- struction and can save dollars over time. To learn more about the water access policy and get involved, visit https://act.yourethecure . org/fVURxph. Pandemic Poses Health Risk toMoms of Preschoolers Stress levels of moms with preschoolers soared during the pandemic, with twice as many of the mothers reporting they lost sleep during the COVID-19 outbreak than before it. “Moms of young children are already less likely to get the recommended amount of sleep and physical activity than women who don’t have chil- dren. These shortfalls could raise the risk for obe- sity and poor health, and the lockdown worsened the situation by increasing the levels of stress and household chaos,” said Chelsea Kracht, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher in the Pediatric Obesity and Health Behavior Laboratory at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. The bottom line? “Mothers, especially those with preschoolers, need a lot more than flowers on Mother’s Day,” said Amanda Staiano, PhD, associate professor and director, Pediatric Obe- sity and Health Behavior Laboratory. “There are a number of ways moms can reduce stress, such as taking a break from the news and spending a few minutes unwinding before they go to sleep. But what moms really need is more support, from their family, workplaces, and communities. They need systemic change.” Kracht agreed. The study findings support the necessity of providing mothers with reliable, affordable childcare options and a clear path to maintaining a healthy work-life balance, she said. Mothers who worked remotely during the COVID-19 shutdown reported more house- hold chaos than those who were not telework- ing, Kracht said. This is likely because the first group of mothers had to supervise their children’s remote schooling and telework at the same time. Having fathers or other family members take on some of the childcare and housework would help mothers balance the demands of their careers and personal lives, she said. The new study looked at the relationship between household chaos — disorder, noise, and crowding – stress, physical activity, and sleep for moms. Researchers surveyed more than 1,700 mothers of three-to-five-year-olds during May 2020. Moms in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. participated. The study was published in the sci- entific journal Women’s Health. Around half of the mothers in the study got the recommended amount of sleep and physical activity. Mothers with higher stress levels were far less likely to meet the sleep or physical activ- ity guidelines. “One of our goals as a research center is to break the generational cycle of obesity,” said Pennington Biomedical Executive Director John Kirwan, PhD. “Research that shows how much the pandemic affected the health of mothers may help policymakers and providers take steps to better support mothers and avoid a related increase in chronic diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.” Diagnostic Radiology Consultants Joins Radiology Associates The members of Diagnostic Radiology Consul- tants have joined Radiology Associates. Diag- nostic Radiology Consultants currently services Lane Regional Medical Center and West Felici- ana Parish Hospital. Radiology Associates welcomes radiologists Charles S. Greeson, MD; Mark W. Woody, MD; Travis J. Blanchard, MD; and Deana Jones-Bras- well, MD, to the practice. “I am delighted to announce that the members of Diagnostic Radiology Consultants have joined Radiology Associates,” said Scott B. Schuber, MD, Radiology Associates’ managing partner. “DRC’s experienced radiologists bring years of knowledge and expertise to the practice. We are excited about this opportunity to enhance our service to our patients and community.” Diagnostic Radiology Consultants’ Managing Partner Charles S. Greeson, MD, said, “The alli- ance of Diagnostic Radiology Consultants and Radiology Associates brings together a combi- nation of professional expertise, experience, and competence which will create a synergism allow- ing us to further advance our goal of excellence and continuing improvement in patient care. It is an exciting development and one that I believe will benefit our community for years to come.” Grease-Themed Variety Show Raises More than $355,000 to Benefit Local Cancer Patients Supporters of Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center put on their poodle skirts and leather jackets and ventured back to the 1950s, all while raising more than $355,000 to help individuals and families in the community impacted by cancer. The Gala Goes Grease, pre- sented by GMFS Mortgage, is the Cancer Cen- ter’s annual fundraiser, and this year was a variety show experience streamed on Facebook Live and other platforms. Viewers were treated to musical performances, meaningful patient stories, a silent auction, and a prom court presentation. Portions of the proceeds raised also go to support Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge. Danielle Mack, vice president and chief devel- opment officer, Mary Bird Perkins, believes that despite not having the ability to host an in-person event, the support was impactful as ever. “Although we were unable to gather under one roof, seeing firsthand the overwhelming generos- ity and enthusiasm of our community was both remarkable and inspiring,” said Mack. “The Gala is a powerful testament of how even in a unique year, together we can triumph, while making a meaningful impact on the lives of cancer patients and their families.” The evening included a crowning ceremony of the prom queen and king, Tara McKernan, GMFS Mortgage, and Brett Furr, Taylor Porter. Ochsner Primary Care Physician Honored as Alumna of the Year byMississippi College Primary care physician Melissa Love, MD, who practices at Ochsner Health Center – Bluebon- net South, has been named Young Alumna of the Year for 2020 by the Mississippi College Depart- ment of Chemistry and Biochemistry. A 2002 summa cum laude graduate of Missis- sippi College, Love earned a degree in chemistry. As a student, she also served as president of the