HJBR Nov/Dec 2022

40 NOV / DEC 2022  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs CIS Earns Gold Awards for Cholesterol, Blood Pressure Control Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) has received two gold awards from the American Heart Association for its commitment to reduc- ing the risk of heart disease and stroke through cholesterol and blood pressure management. This recognition applies to all CIS clinics in Loui- siana and Mississippi. For the fourth year in a row, CIS has earned Gold recognition for the accuracy of blood pres- sure management, with more than 70% of the affected adult patients having controlled blood pressure as part of the Target: BP initiative. CIS surpasses this target with more than 80% of patients having controlled blood pressure, earn- ing the Gold Plus award. However, blood pressure continues to be a national health concern. Out of 116 million U.S. adults living with high blood pressure, the nation’s No. 1 risk factor for heart attack and stroke, less than half have it controlled to target level. In addition, CIS also received the Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol Gold Award this year for having more than 70% of adult, at-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease patients appropriately managed with statin therapy. About 90% of CIS patients in Louisiana have managed cholesterol. High cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for coronary heart dis- ease, heart attack, and stroke, but only half of 94 million adults with elevated cholesterol are appro- priately managing their condition. Acadian Chairman, CEORichard Zuschlag Honored by American Ambulance Association At the American Ambulance Association’s annual conference and awards ceremony, Aca- dian Ambulance Chairman and CEO Richard Zus- chlag was presented with the J. Walter Schae- fer Award. The Schaefer Award is given annually to an individual whose work in EMS has contrib- uted positively to the advancement of the indus- try as a whole. Maria Bianchi, American Ambulance Asso- ciation CEO, said Zuschlag’s selection for the award was unanimous among the group’s board of directors. “The depth and breadth of Richard’s body of work dedicated to EMS is immeasurable. From founding a small ambulance service in 1971, he has built a premiere service that offers the very best in mobile healthcare,” she said. “Richard’s leadership within the industry, and his willingness to impart his knowledge and help other services throughout our nation has advanced the profes- sion of EMS throughout the country, the result of which will last a lifetime.” Acadian Ambulance is one of the largest ambu- lance services in the nation, providing transpor- tation and medical service to areas in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. It is employee- owned and accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services, and its sis- ter division, Acadian Air Med, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Trans- port Systems. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation Receives $100K fromMauti Cancer Fund Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation has received a $100,000 gift from the Mauti Cancer Fund, establishing the Mauti Cancer Endow- ment Fund. The fund will support Mary Bird Per- kins Cancer Center’s ongoing efforts in promoting cancer prevention through a variety of screening events and educational opportunities. This is the latest support offered by Rich Mauti and the Mauti Cancer Fund. Since 2005, the organization has donated more than $150,000 to support cancer prevention and efforts to edu- cate communities about the importance of early detection. “Early detection is key to improving survivor- ship, a pillar of Mary Bird Perkins’ mission,” said Rich Mauti. “By detecting cancers earlier, we can improve outcomes in communities across Loui- siana. The more screening events we hold, the more residents we are reaching, meaning the potential for more cases to be detected earlier.” Rich Mauti, former NFL player and founder of the Mauti Cancer Fund, lost his father to lung cancer in 1979. Shortly after his father’s pass- ing, Mauti began his commitment to fundrais- ing. Throughout his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints and Washington Redskins, Mauti spearheaded various efforts with multiple orga- nizations, raising tens of thousands of dollars for cancer prevention. With his Louisiana roots in mind, Mauti wanted to stay loyal to his home state. In 1981, he started the nonprofit, Rich Mauti Cancer Fund, which has remained 100% volun- teer-based to this day. In 1989, the Rich Mauti Richard Zuschlag (left) receives the J. Walter Schaefer award from American Ambulance Association President Shawn Baird during the association’s annual conference.