HJBR Nov/Dec 2021

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE I  NOV / DEC 2021 43 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalBR.com physics programs in the country that marries a university basic science department and a cancer center. Over the past 15 years, the joint program has achieved full accreditation and has become one of a handful of accredited graduate medi- cal physics programs in the country. Smith’s initial gift was a catalyst for Hogstrom, Stevens and Car- man’s vision and provided crucial funding for the program to grow. Smith’s legacy investment will be recognized through the naming of the LSU- Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Dr. Charles M. Smith Medical and Health Physics Program. LSU President William F. Tate IV said, “When Dr. Smith committed this gift to LSU, he shared that his aspiration for the program is that it becomes the best medical physics program in the world. His enthusiasm for investing in research while educating and recruiting faculty and students who drive innovation has propelled our collabo- ration with Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center for the last 15 years. This gift ensures that Dr. Smith’s legacy will foster transformative advancements in the diagnosis of disease, cancer therapy and quality treatment.” At LSU, Smith’s gift will establish new endow- ment funds within the College of Science Depart- ment of Physics & Astronomy to advance LSU and the Cancer Center’s joint academic and research programs: the Dr. Charles M. Smith Medical Phys- ics Endowed Fund, providing year-after-year funding in support of faculty, students and staff in LSU’s Medical and Health Physics Program; the Dr. Charles M. Smith Distinguished Professorship in Medical Physics, supporting recruitment and retention of faculty and adjunct faculty; and the Dr. Charles M. Smith Superior Graduate Schol- arship, supporting graduate students to ensure a continued pipeline of highly qualified medical physicists. Additionally, a portion of Smith’s gift will be dedicated to a new LSU Interdisciplinary Science Building that will bring together students, faculty and researchers in a world-class space for scientific inquiry, discovery and collaboration. “Medical physics touches every patient in every community we serve, and it allows us to provide the most effective, individualized treat- ment plans possible. This type of robust clini- cal and academic training is a rarity in most mid- sized cities, but our collaboration with LSU helps push the boundaries of modern medicine,” said Stevens. “Dr. Smith’s generous gift will live in per- petuity within Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Founda- tion, propelling cancer care forward in Louisiana and beyond for generations to come.” Through Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation, Smith’s estate will establish a Chief of Physics Award to support research and educational activ- ities, a directorship and multiple Scholar Awards to assist graduate student research as well as an educational fund to support graduate education programs. These funds will directly enhance med- ical physics initiatives now and in the future by fostering education and innovation among stu- dents and physicists, advancing research oppor- tunities that will enhance treatments and recruit- ing the highest quality clinicians in this highly specialized discipline. Smith, a native of Bogalusa, Louisiana, was born Aug. 24, 1930, and passed away Sept. 15, 2020. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sci- ences from LSU in 1951 and a medical degree from LSU Medical School in New Orleans in 1955. He was a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force for two years, then opened his medical practice in Sulphur in 1957, practicing for 35 years and serv- ing as coroner for Calcasieu Parish for more than 20 years. The NeuroMedical Center Welcomes Two Additions to Administrative Staff The NeuroMedical Center announced that Lee Cox, RN, MBA, will serve as the new director of operations and Jessica Nabors as the human resources manager. Cox comes to the The NeuroMedical Center with 16 years of both clinical and operational experience. Cox began his career working in the emergency room at Baton Rouge General. He moved on to Cardiovascular Institute of the South, where he worked as a registered nurse and later became the manager of the physician prac- tice. He has since worked at Ochsner and most recently at RKM Primary Care as the chief oper- ating officer. Jessica Nabors joins The NeuroMedical Center with 15 years of experience in human resources. Nabors began her career in the restaurant indus- try before moving into healthcare. “Jessica brings expertise in the areas of com- pliance and working with human resources and payroll partners,” Boudreaux. “Jessica will be an asset in assisting us to maximize our processes in both of these areas.” It’s OK to Not Be OK: Office of Behavioral Health Provides Crisis Resources Louisiana is experiencing multiple crises that may be leaving residents with feelings of grief, fear, anxiety, depression or anger. From the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Laura, to COVID-19, to Hurricane Ida, emotions are strong, and it may be helpful to talk to someone. The Office of Behavioral Health is providing this list of resources for anyone experiencing a crisis. Trained and compassionate individuals are available to support Louisianans with a lis- tening ear, provide information and connect to confidential mental health and substance abuse services. Louisiana resources: • Keep Calm Line , call 866-310-7977. Avail- able 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Lee Cox, RN, MBA Jessica Nabors