HJBR Sep/Oct 2023

42 SEP / OCT 2023  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs program has provided more than 111,000 screen- ings resulting in nearly 835 cancers detected. Last year alone, Mary Bird Perkins provided more than 5,700 preventive screenings to residents across the region. “Our Prevention on the Go program is powered by the generosity of our community and through the support of organizations like Sisters Network Inc.,” said Renea Duffin, vice president, cancer support and outreach, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “Sisters Network Inc.’s mission to address breast cancer within the African American com- munity aligns perfectly with the mission of our POGO program. Over the next few months, this grant will go directly toward providing life-sav- ing mammograms to women across our region who are under or uninsured to these early detec- tion services.” Women are advised to get a clinical breast exam at least every three years, starting in their 20s, and to get an annual exam and mammogram starting at age 40. FranU’s Franciscan Experience - Summer InstituteWelcomes 35 High School Students Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University’s summer institute welcomed 35 high school stu- dents July 10-15 at The Tracy Center. The Franciscan Experience (TFE) - Summer Insti- tute is for rising juniors and seniors in high school. The week is devoted to fostering a community of young people who are interested in going deeper into what it means to discern vocation through the eyes and heart of St. Francis of Assisi. Some of the events throughout the week include Mass, adoration, presentations from FranU theology professors, TFE Olympics, and service experiences. CISWelcomes Four Cardiologists to BRRegion Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) is welcoming four new cardiologists to its clinics in the Baton Rouge region: Phillip Smith, MD, Ryan Gullatt, MD, Abdullah Munir, MD, and Shashi Gavini, DO. Smith joins CIS as an interventional and struc- tural cardiologist. He will practice at CIS clinics in Baton Rouge and Zachary. Smith specializes in diagnosing and treating patients with valve dis- ease as well as structural and congenital heart conditions. Gullatt joins CIS as an electrophysiologist and will practice at CIS clinics in Baton Rouge and Zachary. He is trained in the diagnosis and treat- ment of heart rhythm disorders. Gullatt special- izes in treating patients with conditions such as atrial fibrillation and arrythmias. Munir joins CIS in Zachary as an interventional cardiologist. He is trained to diagnose all forms of cardiovascular disease and perform interven- tional life-saving procedures. Gavini will join CIS clinics in Baton Rouge and Prairieville as a general cardiologist on Sept. 1. She will focus on women’s heart health and offer expertise in helping women understand their unique symptoms and risks. LDH: Protect Yourself Against Mosquito-Borne Diseases The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is reminding the public to take precautions against mosquito bites that can expose people to West Nile virus (WNV). During 2022, Louisiana experi- enced 41 West Nile neuroinvasive disease (NID) cases and seven deaths. West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes and can cause illness in people and animals. While 80% of human cases are asymptomatic, many people can develop West Nile fever. Symptoms of West Nile fever, which is a flu-like illness, can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, and/or rashes. A small percentage of people sickened by West Nile virus can develop a severe form of infection called West Nile neuroinvasive disease or West Nile encephalitis, which can result in hospitaliza- tion and death. Symptoms can include high fever, stiff neck, disorientation, muscle weakness, numb- ness, coma, and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks and carry the risk of death or permanent brain damage. Within the last two months, there have also been locally acquired cases of malaria reported in the southern US, four in Florida and one in Texas. No locally acquired malaria cases have been iden- tified in Louisiana at this time. However, compe- tent mosquito vectors are present in the state, creating the potential for local transmission. Malaria is a serious and potentially fatal disease. Phillip Smith, MD Ryan Gullatt, MD Shashi Gavini, DO Abdullah Munir, MD