HJBR May/Jun 2021

36 MAY / JUN 2021  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs has heightened awareness around access to safe water and sanitation as a basic human right, the American Heart Association is hoping Louisiana lawmakers consider legislation that helps put clean drinking water within reach for the state’s students. House Bill 132, filed by Representative Vincent J. Pierre, D-Lafayette, requires newly constructed public school buildings and those undergoing major renovations to be equipped with water bot- tle filling stations. Lawmakers will have a chance to hear and vote on the bill during the 2021 Loui- siana Regular Legislative Session, which convenes April 12. “Water access is hugely important for a child’s overall health, but for many Louisiana children, school is the only place where they can depend on a nutritious meal and clean water,” said Pierre. “I can’t think of a better time to focus on basic needs that support overall health and reduce the spread of germs.” Louisiana is ranked sixth in the nation for the highest rate of obesity among children 10-17. Drinking sufficient amounts of water reduces the likelihood of kids being at an unhealthy weight. Drinking water supports children’s muscles, joints, tissues, and circulatory and digestive systems. In addition to supporting healthy bodies, water pos- itively impacts children’s cognitive performance, particularly their short-term memory. Water bot- tle filling stations in schools can nearly triple how much water students drink at lunch time. Amid the pandemic, schools have empha- sized washing hands, social distancing, covering coughs, and staying healthy. Meanwhile, in one study, water fountains and manual pencil sharp- ener handles were determined to be the germiest surfaces in classrooms. Water refill stations have the potential to help reduce the spread of germs. “By having access to water bottle filling sta- tions, students can fill their water bottles and take them to class,” said Tiffany W. Ardoin, MD, assistant professor of clinical medicine at LSU Health Sciences Center and president-elect of the American Heart Association’s Capital Area Board of Directors. “This should be part of creat- ing a healthy school environment that helps set children up for a healthy future.” 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. “All children, no matter where they live or what grade they are in, deserve to go to a school that provides clean drinking water at no cost,” added Ashley Hebert, Louisiana government relations director for the American Heart Association. “We hope lawmakers can help make carrying water bottles the new normal in public schools.” Dr. Kevin Riché Elected to LOA Board of Directors Kevin Riché, MD was elected to the Louisi- ana Orthopaedic Association Board of Directors at their Annual Business Meeting on Thursday, March 18, 2021. He will serve as the Regional Director for Greater Baton Rouge. Riché practices orthopedic surgery at the Baton Rouge Orthopaedic Clinic (BROC). Riché grad- uated from LSU Medical School in New Orleans and completed his orthopaedic internship at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine in New York. He completed his orthopedic residency training at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. He then completed a fellowship in orthopedic trauma at Harvard School of Medicine in Bos- ton, Massachusetts. Dr. Riché is board certified in orthopaedic surgery. Riché and his wife, Catherine Riché, MD, both live and practice orthopaedic surgery in Baton Rouge at BROC. River Place Behavioral Health Opens NewAdolescent Unit River Place Behavioral Health’s new adoles- cent unit has opened to treat adolescents age 12-17 who struggle with conditions like depres- sion, ADHD, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety. Located in LaPlace, Louisiana, River Place expects to treat approximately 400 patients per year at its 22-bed inpatient unit. In 2018, Ochsner Health partnered with Acadia Healthcare to open River Place Behavioral Health, an 82-bed inpatient facility. Through the joint ven- ture, Acadia manages the hospital while Ochsner psychiatrists and providers deliver much needed inpatient behavioral health services to adults and adolescents. “We are thrilled to open this new unit,” said Dean Hickman, MD, psychiatry system chair, Och- sner Health and medical director, River Place Behavioral Health. “Across Louisiana, we have a lack of inpatient beds to treat our young patients with behavioral health concerns, and this region is no different. said “Now, more young people will be able to receive treatment without having to travel great distances.” Approximately one in five children in the United States have a mental health disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Preven- tion (CDC), with most mental health conditions beginning by age 14. Suicide is the third-lead- ing cause of death for children ages 12-17, mak- ing treatment at this age critically important. The demand for care is significant. However, state- wide, there are far fewer inpatient beds available than adolescent patients seeking care. Treatment in the adolescent program may include basic medical care along with individual, family, and group therapy sessions. Typical length of stay in the unit is seven to 10 days, though this will vary depending on each adolescent’s spe- cific concerns and goals. Before completing the program, their care team will provide each young person and their family with aftercare planning that defines the next steps in the healing process. “We’re excited to provide adolescent care for our community with the opening of our new unit,” says Jeremy Pitzer, CEO of River Place Behav- ioral Health. “We understand how important it is for children and teens to receive age-specific behavioral health treatment, and we’re commit- ted to working closely with parents or guardians to ensure that they are thoroughly involved in their child’s care.” River Place Behavioral Health is designed to Kevin Riché, MD