HJBR Jul/Aug 2021

32 JUL / AUG 2021  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs will ultimately enhance survivorship,” said Linda Lee, vice president, Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center. “Our comprehensive approach of oncologists and cardiologists, all under the leadership of Dr. Jarreau, underscores the Cancer Center’s commitment to providing a multidisciplinary team approach to cancer care. Having this team of experts working together to develop and manage a patient’s treatment plan gives our patients the best chance for beating cancer and reduces the opportunity for heart- related challenges in the future.” Cardiovascular Institute of the South Named One of the Best Places toWork in Healthcare Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) has been selected by Modern Healthcare as one of the 2021 Best Places to Work in Healthcare, earn- ing this title for the second year in a row. This award program identifies and recognizes outstanding employers in the healthcare indus- try nationwide. Modern Healthcare partners with the Best Companies Group on the assessment process, which includes an extensive employee survey. “Our physician-led, employee-driven culture has always been the key ingredient in our suc- cess at CIS,” said CIS CEO David Konur, FACHE. “Now more than ever, our team has shown amaz- ing perseverance through these difficult times, and their commitment to our patients has been nothing short of exceptional.” “One year into the pandemic, we’ve seen the industry transform to meet the needs of its patients and employees,” said Aurora Aguilar, Modern Healthcare’s editor. “Time and time again, the most resilient and successful organi- zations show that empathy towards their staff, clear vision and compassion towards the patient buoys teams and sets them up for success. We congratulate the Best Places to Work in Health- care for eliciting loyalty from their workforce and communities during harrowing times.” Cardiovascular Institute of the South will be recognized at the 2021 Best Places to Work in Healthcare awards gala taking place in Septem- ber at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago in conjunction with the Workplace of the Future Conference. Information on the award gala and conference is available at ModernHealthcare. com/BestPlacesGala. Local ZacharyMan Celebrates Anniversary of Life-Saving Procedure On May 19, Zachary local, Kris Kirkman, cele- brated the one-year anniversary since receiving a life-saving heart procedure with a heart recov- ery reunion held at the Cardiovascular Institute of the South in Baton Rouge. Kris Kirkman, 48, is a husband, father, and sales director from Zachary, Louisiana. Though he has a family history of heart disease and has lived with hypertension for 20 years, Kris rarely saw a phy- sician. After experiencing shortness of breath, fluid buildup around his abdomen, and difficulty sleeping in December of 2019, Kris visited a local clinic where he was prescribed medication and sent home. Kris’ symptoms gradually became more severe over the next two months. When he experienced trouble breathing, Kris’ concerned wife brought him to the local hospital where he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure – the leading cause of death for men in the United States. Unfortu- nately, Kris was too high-risk for bypass surgery and was sent home. Kris was then referred to interventional cardiolo- gist, Niksad Abraham, MD, at Baton Rouge Gen- eral – Bluebonnet, where Abraham identified Kris as an appropriate candidate for a Protected PCI procedure with Impella. An elective procedure, Protected PCI (or protected stenting) temporarily assists the pumping function of the heart. The very next week, Abraham was able to per- form a complete revascularization on Kris using the Impella CP heart pump. This was major sur- gery for Kris, but thanks to his medical team, fam- ily’s care, and innovative technology, he was dis- charged and sent home the next day. One year since his procedure, Kris is back to work and enjoying a healthier lifestyle with his wife and three children. During the reunion, Kris and his wife, along with Abraham and the medical team, met to com- memorate the anniversary of Kris’ surgery and path to recovery. n On May 19, Zachary local, Kris Kirkman, celebrated the one-year anniversary since receiving a life-saving heart procedure with a heart recovery reunion held at the Cardiovascular Institute of the South in Baton Rouge.