HJBR Jul/Aug 2022

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE I  JUL / AUG 2022 37 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalBR.com one thing is clear: You want quality services quickly. The Louisiana Crisis Response System provides a spectrum of services designed to meet individuals where they are in their communities, providing stabilization and linkage to resources to help them on their path to recovery,” said Rep. Royce Duplessis, D-New Orleans. ACCESSING SERVICES Individuals enrolled in Medicaid may access Mobile Crisis Response and Community Brief Cri- sis Support by calling their managed care organi- zation’s 24-hour behavioral health crisis line (see below). Crisis phone numbers are also located on the back of Medicaid insurance cards. • Aetna Better Health:1-833-491-1094. • AmeriHealth Caritas of Louisiana: 1-844-211-0971. • Healthy Blue: 1-844-812-2280. • Louisiana Healthcare Connections: 1-844-677-7553. • United Healthcare: 1-866-232-1626. To access Behavioral Health Crisis Care in: • Greater Baton Rouge: Call Recovery Inno- vations at 225-256-6604 or visit the Bridge Center for Hope at 3455 Florida Blvd., Suite 400, Baton Rouge, LA 70806. • South-Central Louisiana: Call Start Corpora- tion at 985-333-1633 or 985-266-8340. • Northwest Louisiana: Call Merakey Louisi- ana at 318-219-4167 or 336-277-8615. • Jefferson Parish: Call Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority at 504-349-3740 or visit 5001 Westbank Expressway, Suite 200, Marrero, LA 70072. Learn more about the Louisiana Crisis Response System at https://ldh.la.gov/crisis. CIS to Use BDVenclose Catheter for Vein Treatment Satish Gadi, MD, interventional cardiologist at Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS), is using the Venclose Maven Perforator Catheter to treat venous disease. The procedure took place on April 19 at the CIS Baton Rouge clinic at 8401 Picardy Avenue. Manufactured by BD, the Venclose Maven is the only 360-degree radiofrequency ablation cath- eter for minimally-invasive treatment of incom- petent perforator veins with a modernized, circumferential heating coil. Perforator veins have one-way valves that are designed to pre- vent backflow of blood to the superficial veins. When these valves stop functioning properly, reflux occurs, and the buildup of blood and pres- sure can cause both the superficial and perforator veins to become incompetent — keeping blood from returning to the heart. “The new Venclose perforator vein treatment catheter is a great new option to treat venous insufficiency and varicose veins,” said Gadi. “It is a simple, easy, office-based procedure that is very convenient for patients.” If left untreated, venous disease can become painful and debilitating. FranciscanMissionaries of Our Lady University Graduates More Than 180 Students Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University graduated more than 180 students May 14 at the Raising Cane’s River Center. Students graduated from the School of Nurs- ing, School of Arts and Sciences, and School of Health Professions. Pinning and awards ceremonies were held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church for the School of Health Professions and for the School of Nursing and School of Arts and Sciences. Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Univer- sity is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Col- leges to award doctorate, master’s, baccalau- reate, and associate degrees. Located in Baton Rouge, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Uni- versity is a small, Catholic, not-for-profit institution with a healthcare emphasis. The University offers degrees in nursing, health sciences, humanities, behavioral sciences, and natural sciences. The University is sponsored by the Franciscan Mis- sionaries of Our Lady. Ochsner 65 to Open on Jefferson Highway Ochsner Baton Rouge will open Ochsner 65 Plus – Bocage later this fall at 7949 Jefferson Highway, Suite B. A destination for patients 65 and over, the facility was uniquely designed to include a pri- mary care clinic, gym, and community center for socializing in a safe, comfortable, and caring environment. The 11,844-square-foot facility represents an investment of $3.15 million, part of more than $51 million Ochsner has invested in the Baton Rouge market over the past 12 months. “Ochsner Health is dedicated to caring for all patient populations across the greater Baton Rouge region,” stated Chuck Daigle, CEO, Ochsner Baton Rouge. “We feel that Ochsner 65 Plus is a special setting for patients. It pro- vides Medicare members with a customized care team who are dedicated to their unique needs and focuses on the things that are important to those patients.” Ochsner 65 Plus visits are typically longer than traditional primary care visits, allowing patients to schedule physician appointments up to an hour. Patients and their care teams get to know one another, and family and friends are welcome. Patients can also take advantage of wellness classes and social events. Healthcare offerings and community activities include: • Arts and crafts. • Cooking demonstrations. • Card games. • Guest speakers. • Chair yoga. • Group fitness classes. • Immunizations. • Infusions. • Hearing and vision screening. Ochsner 65 Plus staff also assist in obtaining difficult-to-acquire medications, navigating insur- ance, and obtaining financial assistance. Ochsner 65 Plus accepts traditional Medicare, along with Medicare Advantage plans offered by Ochsner Health Plan, Humana, Peoples Health, and Blue Cross. Appointments can be scheduled online, and guided tours are available. Constance Blunt, MD, Joins Mary Bird Perkins, Louisiana Hematology Oncology Services Constance Blunt, MD, joined Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and Louisiana Hematology Oncol- ogy Associates in June. She will help diagnose and treat a wide range of cancerous blood disor- ders and solid tumors. Blunt is a graduate of Baylor University located