HJBR Jan/Feb 2022

42 JAN / FEB 2022  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs cared for in the community setting. Joining Mary Bird Perkins in partnership with OneOncology are radiation and medical oncol- ogy groups across the state that have worked with the Cancer Center for decades. Those prac- tices are Southeast Louisiana Radiation Oncology Group, which provides radiation therapy through- out Mary Bird Perkins’ service areas, and North- shore Oncology Associates, serving St. Tam- many and Washington Parishes, specifically the communities of Covington and Slidell. Louisiana Hematology Oncology Associates, which services the Greater Baton Rouge area, will also join the collaborative. Through the remainder of the calendar year, the Cancer Center and OneOncology will focus on implementing clinical programs and identifying opportunities to optimize the partnership, which officially begins in January 2022. “This is an exciting new path for Mary Bird Per- kins,” said Todd Stevens, president and CEO, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “We’ll take what we’ve built over the last 50 years and expand upon it in ways that we were unable to before. And with the community’s support firmly behind us, we will stop at nothing to improve survivor- ship and lessen the burden of cancer. We have our sights set on innovation and taking the next great leap forward in cancer care.” Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group Announces Inaugural Workforce Development ProgramParticipants Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group announced its 2021-2022 Workforce Develop- ment Cohort. The initiative introduces post- undergraduate level students to the healthcare industry through two separate tracks — admin- istrative and pre-clinical. Participants selected for the pre-clinical track are seeking their pre-med degree, nurse prac- titioner certification or their physician assistant’s certification. The administrative track is for those currently enrolled in an MBA or MHA program. The one-year program will introduce partici- pants to the inner workings of a healthcare sys- tem as they work directly in the physician group clinics and perform tasks such as working at the front desk, shadowing a provider, assisting the practice manager with regular clinic duties and more. Additionally, the cohort will participate in an enrichment series for monthly education on the major fields within a healthcare system, including business operations, primary care ser- vices, ancillary support and surgery services. Each participant will also be paired with a mentor to further guide their career in the healthcare field. “Our top priority is providing our patients with high-quality care, and we believe that begins by training the next generation of healthcare provid- ers and administrators,” said LaDonna Williams, chief operating officer of the Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group. “We welcome these individu- als to our team, and strive to provide them with educational experiences, strong mentorship, and further professional healthcare development to help them grow into the next leaders within our organization.” Participants of the inaugural cohort include the following people: • Nikhilesh Alahari, pre-clinical. • Sarah Becnel, pre-clinical. • Brennan Dupeire, administrative. • Madeline Ford, administrative. • Elisa Hood, pre-clinical. • Gabrielle Jolivette, pre-clinical. • Camille Landry, pre-clinical. • Hailey Landry, administrative. • Zarah Naeini, pre-clinical. • Lillian Rigamer, pre-clinical. Applications for the next cohort will open in June 2022. Louisiana Healthcare Connections Named Outstanding Employer of the Year For the fifth consecutive year, Louisiana Health- care Connections has been named Outstanding Employer of the Year by the Louisiana Nurses Foundation. The annual Nightingale Award recognizes a Louisiana company that supports nurses and fosters professional growth, achieve- ment and innovation in the nursing profession. “With nurses comprising more than 30% of our staff, including many in top leadership posi- tions, we recognize their tremendous value, both inside our company and outside in every hospi- tal and medical facility,” said Louisiana Health- care Connections CEO and Plan President Jamie Schlottman. “We are fortunate to have so many knowledgeable, dedicated nurses on our team who care for and coordinate care for our mem- bers. This award honors their achievements, so I am pleased to receive it on their behalf.” The Louisiana Nurses Foundation established the Nightingale Awards to recognize registered nurses and healthcare institutions across the state for demonstrating leadership, clinical excellence and quality service in the nursing profession. Ochsner Opens Pediatric Super-Clinic Ochsner Baton Rouge announced the opening of its pediatric super-clinic inside Ochsner Medi- cal Complex – The Grove. The new space, which accounts for approxi- mately 18,000 square feet and nearly the entire fifth floor of the building, combines pediatri- cians with pediatric specialty services all under one roof. This strategy will help parents avoid the traffic of Baton Rouge for appointments at vari- ous locations. In addition, the new super-clinic architecture provides children with a fun, friendly and welcoming environment that, as it becomes a familiar space, will help lower anxiety. “This is a modern and medically advanced clinic built as a one-stop-shop dedicated to the health and wellbeing of our children,” stated Chuck Daigle, CEO, Ochsner Baton Rouge. “Most kids need outpatient services in a clinic or at a same- day surgery center — everything we have here at The Grove. Our team of dedicated providers deliver this care right here in Baton Rouge. It’s amazing to be able to bring your child to three doctor’s appointments all in one place, not driv- ing to multiple locations.” Design elements inside the space feature an underwater theme with bubbles, fish, bright ocean colors and thriving water plants on glass panels. A showcase of the waiting room is kid- friendly, built-in cutouts intended for children to use as “kids only” reserved seating. Exam rooms were built on the exterior of the space, allowing for ample natural lighting to surround patient rooms and hallways. Medical services include general pediatrics, pediatric gastroenterology, pediatric neurol- ogy, pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery, pediatric orthopedics, pediatric urology, pediatric