HJBR Jul/Aug 2022

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE I  JUL / AUG 2022 65 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalBR.com to rest and recover even faster.” The school-based clinic visits are at no cost to families and are covered by most insurances. Caregivers can opt in by filling out a consent form for their child to be seen by the doctor when needed. Much like other important documents required by schools, the signed consent form will be kept on file for each child. BRG and EBRPSS have also teamed up recently to transform Park Elementary into a “focus choice school,” giving students an opportunity to attend high quality specialty schools without the barriers of magnet or charter schools. By elevating the cur- rent curriculum at Park Elementary, students will receive a strong foundation in the fundamentals and the access, knowledge, and resources neces- sary to achieve their future career goals in medi- cine, healthcare, or other STEM-based fields. Ochsner Community Health – Brees Family Center Celebrates First Year in North Baton Rouge Ochsner Baton Rouge celebrated one year since opening Ochsner Community Health - Brees Fam- ily Center in North Baton Rouge. The facility also represents a crucial partnership among Och- sner, East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, and other community leaders, along with the Brees Dream Foundation. The Brees Family Center opened in April 2001 in the New Era Medical Complex with approxi- mately 5,100 square feet of space with 10 exam rooms. The center provides primary care, pedi- atrics, behavioral health, obstetrics/gynecology, and smoking cessation services to underserved communities with the goal of promoting health equity for all. The center is part of Ochsner Health’s $10 mil- lion commitment to open 15 community health centers across the state, made possible with a $5 million gift in 2020 from Brittany and Drew Brees’ Brees Dream Foundation. Funds from the Brees Dream Foundation support startup and opera- tional costs for these facilities. In addition, the Brees Family Center is part of Ochsner’s Healthy State initiative to improve Lou- isiana’s national health ranking from No. 50 to No. 40 by 2030. “In just one year, this facility has made a differ- ence in our lives,” said East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Westin Broome. “It has improved families’ ability to receive healthcare. To seek testing that is crucial to diagnosing, treat- ing, and managing illnesses. To receive COVID- 19 vaccines. And the ability to do all this closer to home.” Kevin Green, Ochsner vice president of clinic operations for Community Health Centers, said the Brees Family Center has had more than 6,700 appointments made since opening. He said that the center has also formed community partner- ships with Family Road of Greater Baton Rouge, the Greater Baton Food Bank, Scotlandville Hight School, Scotlandville Community Development Corp., and Baton Rouge NOW. “We know that meeting patients where they are to help proactively manage any chronic dis- eases helps us improve overall health and well- being,” Green said. “We also know that outcomes are better when we engage with community part- ners, and over the past year, we’ve made signifi- cant strides.” Providers at the center include the primary care team of Edith Mbagwu, MD, Coleatha Fowler, NP, and Trakissia Tolbert, NP, pediatrician Durga Ala- hari, MD, social worker Sarah Dulaney, LCSW, and women’s services provider Molly McRae, NP. The Brees Family Center is open Monday-Thurs- day from 7 a.m.-6 p.m., and Fridays from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. BUST Breast Cancer Event Raises $446,321 After multiple postponements due to COVID- 19, the Foundation for Woman’s hosted its pop- ular BUST Breast Cancer event on March 30. Six- teen breast cancer survivors walked the runway modeling bras designed and decorated by local artists during a fashion show at L’Auberge Baton Rouge. The fashion show, auctions, and sponsor- ships helped raise $446,321 for Woman’s breast cancer outreach program, which includes mobile mammograms and cancer support across Loui- siana. n Ochsner Baton Rouge celebrated one year since opening Ochsner Community Health - Brees Family Center in North Baton Rouge. Pictured at the recent celebration, left to right, are Chuck Daigle, Ochsner-BR CEO; Mayor Broome; Wanda Robinson, MD, medical director of community care, Ochsner Health; Chauna Banks, councilwoman, EBR District 2; Sandra Brown, DNS, Dean, Community Advisory Council member/ SU Nursing School; and Byron Washington, Community Advisory Council member. Standing behind the chairs is Courtney Hunt.