HJBR Sep/Oct 2022

36 SEP / OCT 2022  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs and other stakeholders to develop and execute a campaign to strengthen the existing East Baton Rouge City-Parish Complete Streets Policy. Three O’clock Project will work with Health Care Cen- ters in Schools, Inc. on Good Food Purchasing and Out-of-School Nutrition polices by seeking administrative approval and budget enhance- ments from the EBR area school board. “The Power Coalition for Equity and Justice will continue to activate power in Black commu- nities centering those most impacted by oppres- sive systems,” said Morgan Shannon from The Power Coalition. Voices for Healthy Kids, an initiative of the American Heart Association awarded The Walls Project this funding. Furthermore, the initiative awarded policy campaign grants to five other nonprofit organizations in East Baton Rouge for use in strategic issue advocacy campaigns focused on improving health equity with a focus on improved neighborhoods, physical environ- ments, economic security, food security, and healthy eating. For more information about The Walls Proj- ect, BREADA, CPEX, the Power Coalition, Three O’clock Project, Health Care Centers in Schools, and the important work they do in Baton Rouge, visit: • https://www.thewallsproject.org • https://breada.org • https://www.cpex.org • https://powercoalition.org • https://www.threeoclockproject.org • https://ololchildrens.org/our-network/ clinical-specialties/health-centers- in-schools/ Ochsner Pediatric Super-Clinic Welcomes Cardiologists Ochsner Baton Rouge welcomes the pediatric cardiologists at Pediatric Cardiology Associates to the pediatric super-clinic at Ochsner Medical Complex - The Grove. Rufus Lester “Les” Hixon, MD, has more than 30 years’ experience in medicine, including 25 as a pediatric cardiologist in Baton Rouge. Hixon earned a medical degree from Medical College of Georgia, where he also completed a pediat- ric internship and residency, as well as a pedi- atric cardiology fellowship. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and board-cer- tified in both pediatrics and pediatric cardiology. Lauren Haddad, MD, has worked in Baton Rouge as a pediatric cardiologist since 2014. After earning a medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine, Haddad completed a three- year pediatric residency followed by a three-year pediatric cardiology fellowship at University of Tennessee. She is board-certified in both pediat- ric cardiology and adult congenital heart disease. Both Hixon and Haddad will continue working at local hospitals, as well as seeing patients in Baton Rouge, Gonzales, and Hammond. Louisiana Launches 988 Suicide, Crisis Lifeline The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has launched the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — the new three-digit number that replaces the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to make it easier for people to receive assistance during a mental health crisis. The previous 10-digit number has answered tens of millions of calls and saved countless lives. Now 988 will be the same trusted resource for those who are dealing with suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, or other mental health chal- lenges. People can also dial 988 if they are wor- ried about a loved one who may need immedi- ate crisis support. When you call, text, or chat 988, you will be con- nected to trained compassionate crisis counselors who will listen to your concerns, provide support, and connect you with local resources. The chat feature will also be available through the lifeline’s website. All calls are confidential. The service is being provided 24/7, free of charge. “It is so important that we have resources in place to help people when they need it most and having a lifeline like this one is vital,” said Gov. John Bel Edwards. “Tragically, Louisiana experi- enced more than 600 suicides in 2020 and nation- ally there is a death by suicide every 11 minutes. This is a serious problem and being able to text or chat with a trained and compassionate crisis counselor who can listen, provide support and connect people with local resources is going to make it easier for anyone to receive assistance during a mental health crisis. There is never any shame in reaching out for help and everyone needs help at some point in their lives. This is a very safe place to get that support.” LDH’s Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) has contracted with two certified call centers to answer 988 calls in the state. The Louisiana Asso- ciation on Compulsive Gambling, located in Boss- ier City, will field calls in area codes 318 and 337 covering North, Central, and Southwest Lou- isiana. VIA LINK, located in New Orleans, will answer calls for Southeast Louisiana, covering area codes 504, 225, and 985. Approximately $2.5 million has been allocated to fund the program, including existing state and federal grant dollars. FranU, HOSAHosts Nursing Summer Camp for High School Students Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University in partnership with Future Health Professionals, hosted a Future Nurses Program Summer Camp July 19-21 at FranU’s School of Nursing. Lauren Haddad, MD Rufus Lester “Les”Hixon, MD