HJBR Sep/Oct 2022

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE I  SEP / OCT 2022 63 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalBR.com There is no cost to participate, but families can purchase tribute signs for their baby to line the walk route or T-shirts with a list of the babies being remembered this year. Additionally, each family that attends the event will receive a special votive candle that can be lit on Oct. 15 in connection with the Wave of Light Celebration that coincides with Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. “As Louisiana’s largest birthing hospital, not only do we celebrate the joy of bringing a new baby into the world, but we also have many patients that we support through the loss of a child,” said Jessica Morris, RN, labor and delivery nurse man- ager for Woman’s Hospital. “So many families who lose a baby suffer in silence, but we want them to know that they are not alone. We are here to remember and honor their babies alongside them.” Registration is not required, but families wish- ing to purchase T-shirts or tribute signs should place their orders by Sept. 15 at the website womans.org/walktoremember. Pediatric Burn Survivors Attend Baton Rouge General’s Free Summer Camp A group of 40 pediatric burn survivors attended Baton Rouge General’s Camp Catahoula recently. The week-long camp, held in Lawrence, Missis- sippi, provides summer fun like swimming, fish- ing, and games along with the chance for burn survivors to share their experiences with other survivors. Camp Catahoula is staffed by volunteers from Baton Rouge General — doctors, nurses, physi- cal and occupational therapists, social workers, and even a chef – as well as the Baton Rouge Fire Department, Louisiana State Police, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and Brothers Keepers, a firefighters’ motorcycle club. Parents of young burn survivors and adult burn survivors also volunteer at the camp, which is free for the kids to attend. “It is rewarding to see the campers’ excitement as they interact with other children recovering from burn injuries,” said Tracee Short, MD, burn surgeon and medical director of BRG’s Regional Burn Center. “To feel supported and comfortable around other burn survivors who have faced the same trauma and who carry similar scars truly aids in their emotional healing.” Campers enjoyed an action-packed week, including karaoke, a Christmas in July day, yoga, cooking, team relay games and an obstacle course. They also had the chance to do arts and crafts, and join in various small groups for shar- ing their stories. Several organizations support the BRG Foun- dation by raising funds to send local children to Camp Catahoula without any expense to their families, with Shell as the primary sponsor. Other supporters include AT&T, Baton Rouge Fire Department, Baton Rouge State Fair Founda- tion, Brother’s Keepers, Cenla Roadrunners, E.J. and Marjorie B. Ourso Family Foundation, Inter- national Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Louisi- ana State Police, Professional Firefighters Associa- tion of Louisiana, The Vision 21 Foundation, many adult burn survivors, and current and former staff. Record-Setting $1.2Million Contributed to Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital A record $1.2 million was contributed to Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital through the 2022 Driving the Future Lexus car raffle event, with 100% of the proceeds benefitting children’s health services. Now in its 12th year, more than $11.8 million has been contributed through the event in total, helping OLOLCH continue to provide healthcare to the children of Louisiana, Texas, and Missis- sippi. Past proceeds supported the building of the Children’s Hospital in 2019 while also ensur- ing the more than 100,000 children who visit each year are provided with the best care possible — regardless of their ability to pay. “I want to thank everyone who bought raffle tick- ets for this year’s Driving the Future event,” said Shaun Kemmerly, MD, chief medical officer of Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health. “Fundraising events like this help us continue to improve and expand the services we provide at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital.” n Teresa King, MD