HJBR Mar/Apr 2022

36 MAR / APR 2022  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs shortened for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as well. This means that individuals 12 and older who ini- tially received an mRNA vaccine series (two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine) should now receive an mRNA booster dose five months after completing their initial series. The booster interval recommendation for people who initially received the J&J vaccine (two months) has not changed. LDH has reviewed the latest CDC recommenda- tion and alerted all vaccine providers in the state that this guidance is effective immediately. Data show that COVID-19 boosters help broaden and strengthen protection against Omi- cron and other SARS-CoV-2 variants. Cancer Services Hosts Grand Reopening Cancer Services held a grand reopening recep- tion on Dec. 7 to showcase the building’s cli- ent-focused renovation. The event hosted past CEOs, directors, board members, donors, vol- unteers, and others to tour the facility and learn more about the organization’s future plans. The $150,000 renovation project was made possible by the generosity of the community. “Cancer Services is eager to welcome clients back inside the building after being closed for a short time due to renovations and the pandemic,” said Nancy Gosserand, director, Cancer Services. “We are looking forward to working with every- one who comes and needs assistance, ensuring their needs are met, free of charge. As always, we diligently managed donor and funder dollars and repurposed equipment and space whenever possible. It is always our goal to make the most of every gift to the organization.” During the pandemic and renovation, many ser- vices were continued virtually. Also, a drive thru was established for patients picking up supplies. Clients will be offered services in the new wig boutique, healing arts space, and multipurpose room. Support groups will now be held in the building and with a virtual option. For the first time, health programs like yoga and healthy meal preparation classes will be offered onsite as well. Children’s programs will be expanded. At the reopening, Cancer Services announced the launch of new initiatives including enhanced outreach to the underserved. The organization is working to increase awareness of how they can support those impacted by cancer and the many resources available. Cancer patients treated at any facility are eligible to become a client and participate in all programs. Cancer Services’ office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and new clients are always welcome to visit the center at 550 Lobdell Ave. in Baton Rouge. National Study Creates Algorithm to Predict Individual Response to Nutrition A new federally funded study will use machine learning to predict how an individual responds to a given diet, allowing physicians to offer patients personalized nutrition prescriptions to improve health and treat chronic diseases. “Food lies at the epicenter of health and dis- ease. But clinical nutrition is still limited to a one- size-fits-all-approach that far too often fails a large segment of the population,” said Eric Ravussin, PhD, associate executive director for clinical sci- ence at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. “What we need is precision, the ability to pre- scribe diets that account for the factors unique to each person, such as their genetics, metabolism, physiology, behavior, even the microorganisms in their body,” said Leanne Redman, PhD, associate executive director for scientific education at Pen- nington Biomedical. Nutrition for Precision Health, powered by the All of Us Research Program, will develop a first-of- its-kind algorithm to predict individual responses to food and dietary routines. The study will recruit 10,000 people nationwide from the 1 million U.S. residents who have volunteered their health data for the National Institutes of Health’s All of Us Research Program. As one of six clinical sites in the nation, Cancer Services held a grand reopening reception on Dec. 7 to showcase the building’s client-focused renovation. Pictured at the event are, left to right, Nancy Gosserand, Mimi Riché, Whitney Craig, Jill Roshto, and Connie Caldwell.