HJBR Jan/Feb 2022

40 JAN / FEB 2022  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs more than 20 years in both a professional and vol- unteer role. She has led many professional fund- raising campaigns for organizations such as Pen- nington Biomedical Research Foundation, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Capital Area United Way, Kids’ Orchestra and the Runnels School. She is an active member of the Greater Baton Rouge Chapter of the Association of Fundrais- ing Professionals and Capital Area Network and a graduate of Baton Rouge Chamber’s Leader- ship Baton Rouge program. Mayes is a commu- nicationsgraduate of Loyola. CIS Earns Recognition for Blood Pressure Control Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) has been awarded Gold+ Status by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Med- ical Association (AMA) for its commitment to keeping patient blood pressure readings accu- rate and under control, ultimately reducing the number of heart attacks and strokes each year. CIS is one of about 300 physician practices and health systems being recognized nationally this year with the Gold+ status. This demonstrates a commitment to measurement accuracy while also reaching at least 70% blood pressure con- trol within their patient population. In fact, 82% of CIS patients have controlled blood pressure. CIS believes this number is attributed to many areas of quality control, such as proper training of its staff on how to take blood pressure prop- erly and accurately. “At CIS, we ask patients to return within 30 days for a blood pressure check in the clinic if the last blood pressure was elevated or if medi- cations were adjusted,” explained Mitzi Pellegrin, LSUVet Med Releases Bald Eagle Near Vet School The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s Wild- life Hospital recently released a bald eagle on the levee near the veterinary school. The adult, male bald eagle was found in Liv- ingston Parish and presented to Leslie Lattimore with Wings of Hope Wildlife Sanctuary. Lattimore brought the eagle to LSU Vet Med on Nov. 3. He had been hit by a car and had a significant con- cussion. The eagle received anti-inflammatories, fluids, and supportive care and is doing well. So far in 2021, LSU Vet Med has received 12 bald eagles. Of those, four were released, six had to be euthanized because of catastrophic inju- ries, and two died within 24 hours of treatment. The LSU SVM’s Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana currently accepts more than 1,200 wild mammals, birds and reptiles annually, with a 15% increase in caseload anticipated each year. There is no charge to those who bring in these sick and injured animals; the Wildlife Hospital provides this medical care from funds donated to the Wild- life Hospital. Wildlife cases can be dropped off at the LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s Small Animal Clinic during regular business hours, which are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Louisiana Healthcare Connections Announces $1.5MEquity in Health and Care Initiative Louisiana Healthcare Connections is partnering with higher education outlets across the state to fund a $1.5 million program to eliminate health disparities and create a more inclusive, represen- tative healthcare system. The Equity in Health and Care initiative will implement coordinated strate- gies in partnership with Xavier University, Bossier Parish Community College, and Delgado Com- munity College. The initiative will focus on four major areas: equity in health outcomes, diversity and inclusion in the healthcare workforce, eco- nomic social determinants of health, and com- munity health. “Our mission at Louisiana Healthcare Connec- tions is to transform Louisiana’s health and create health equity for our Medicaid population,” says Jamie Schlottman, CEO. ”Sharing data to identify disparities, collaborating in our communities to address disparities, and investing in economic opportunities within the healthcare field will result in real-world improvements in health equity.” To impact equity in health outcomes, Xavier University will leverage Louisiana Healthcare Con- nections’ health data for academic research and pilot projects focused on maternal and childhood health, hypertension and diabetes. “As a university that seeks a more just and humane society, Xavier understands the impor- tance of addressing health equity issues on a systemic level,” says Reynold Verret, PhD, pres- ident of Xavier University. “Our collaboration with Louisiana Healthcare Connections has the potential to profoundly improve the health of our communities. Additionally, Louisiana Healthcare Connec- tions is making a multiyear investment to create scholarship programs in medical coding, com- munity health work and allied health programs with Delgado Community College and Bossier Parish Community College. The scholarships will be geared toward those currently enrolled in Medicaid, helping address economic factors that affect health, providing new job opportu- nities and fostering a more inclusive healthcare workforce. These colleges provide access to inno- vative learning environments to a diverse popula- tion in New Orleans and North Louisiana as well as distance-learning opportunities. “This scholarship program will accelerate Loui- siana’s ability to deliver healthcare to those most in need, through community-based health coach- ing and telehealth,” says Larissa Littleton-Steib, chancellor of Delgado Community College. “We are proud to partner with Louisiana Healthcare Connections on healthcare workforce develop- ment to address long-standing health disparities in a sustainable way.” Open Health Care Clinic Welcomes NewChief Development Officer Open Health Care Clinic has hired Kristy Mayes as its new chief development officer to oversee all development and fundraising efforts for the nonprofit organization. Mayes has been activelyinvolved in nonprofit development and fundraising in the Baton Rouge community for Kristy Mayes