HJBR Mar/Apr 2023

42 MAR / APR 2023  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs Healthcare Connections is ‘building true con- nections,” said Bryan Camerlinck, BREC Foun- dation board president. “We are thankful for all they have done and their continued efforts to truly make a difference in our community.” Louisiana Healthcare Connections has sup- ported the “Charting A New Course” fundraising effort as well as holiday campaigns and provided general operating support and summer camp financial assistance. In addition, they provided funding for the Scotlandville Disk Golf course. As part of the LEAF Award, $1,000 is contrib- uted by the foundation to a BREC program or project as designated by the recipient. Louisi- ana Healthcare Connections has chosen BREC’s “Send A Kid to Camp” initiative for this year’s support. Chris Adams, BREC Foundation board member and vice president of Legislative & Government Affairs for Louisiana Healthcare Connections, received the award on behalf of the health plan. “Community partners like the BREC Founda- tion play a critical role in supporting our members while helping to create a healthy, vibrant, and thriving quality of life for everyone,” said Adams. Jamie Burgess to Lead 2022– 2023 Baton Rouge Go Red forWomenMovement The American Heart Association announced Jamie Burgess, senior vice president at Hancock Whitney, as the community volunteer chair of the 2022-2023 Baton Rouge Go Red for Women movement. Go Red for Women is a world- wide initiative of the American Heart Associa- tion designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women locally, nationally, and globally. Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S., claiming more lives each year than all forms of cancer combined. Cardiovas- cular disease continues to be a woman’s great- est health threat, taking the life of one in every three women. “I, like many of us, have a family history of heart disease. It is one of the most prevalent health conditions in our country but is largely prevent- able,” said Burgess. “Seeing firsthand how the work of the American Heart Association affects the lives of everyday Americans inspired me to chair the Go Red Movement this year, and I know we can take our message of physical fitness, self- care, and prevention to even more women than ever this year.” “We are thrilled to have Jamie Burgess’ expe- rience, conviction, and passion help to drive Go Red in Baton Rouge. Together, we know that we will have a positive impact on the lives of women in our community and the families that depend on them,” said Kerin Spears, executive direc- tor, American Heart Association, Greater Baton Rouge. This year’s Go Red for Women movement and its local achievements will be celebrated on March 16 at the 2023 Baton Rouge Go Red for Women Luncheon, sponsored by Our Lady of the Lake Heart and Vascular Institute. For more information about Go Red for Women, visit https://batonrougegored.heart . org, email AHABatonRouge@heart.org, or call 833-889-3875. Jodi Conachen Named Chief Operating Officer at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has named Jodi Conachen as chief operating officer for the organization. She previously served as vice pres- ident of marketing and communications and has been a member of the cancer center’s senior management team for almost four years. “We are so grateful to have such a talented and experienced leader in Jodi,” said Jonas Fontenot, PhD, MBA, president and CEO, Mary Bird Perkins. “Through her leadership in marketing and com- munications, she and her team have played an enormous role in strengthening our organization’s reputation for excellence. I have no doubt she will be successful in her new position as chief operat- ing officer. Jodi is incredibly passionate about our patient community — I know she will do every- thing in her power to ensure our patients have the best experience with Mary Bird Perkins.” As COO, Conachen will assist with the devel- opment and implementation of the Cancer Cen- ter’s strategic plan while ensuring alignment with physicians, organizations, and companies with whom the organization partners for the provi- sion of healthcare services. Conachen has communications experience in various industries, including positions with Com- munity Coffee, Louisiana Department of Trans- portation and Development, Woman’s Hospital, and several other local employers. She received a master’s in business administration from LSU in Shreveport and a Bachelor of Arts in public rela- tions/mass communications from Louisiana State University. Our Lady of the Lake Health’s Geaux Get Healthy Clinical ProgramOpens Location in South Baton Rouge Our Lady of the Lake’s Geaux Get Healthy clin- ical program opened its second location on Jan. 19. The new clinic is at 2041 Silverside Drive in Baton Rouge. Geaux Get Healthy’s first location is at Our Lady of the Lake North at 5439 Airline Highway in Baton Rouge. “Surprisingly, over the past couple of years we Jodi Conachen Jamie Burgess