HJBR Sep/Oct 2023

64 SEP / OCT 2023  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Hospital Rounds S. Armato, president and CEO, Novant Health. “We are excited to partner with Ochsner Health. Together, we will increase access to comprehen- sive care for this growing population of patients who often have unique and complex healthcare needs.” In May 2022, Ochsner Health opened its first 65 Plus location in Covington, Louisiana, and cur- rently operates 65 Plus clinics in Baton Rouge and Pensacola, Florida. The Pensacola location will become the first 65 Plus location of the joint ven- ture and will be co-branded over time to reflect the partnership. Ochsner will continue to fully own and build 65 Plus locations in New Orleans and across Louisiana, and the partners will work together to identify additional locations across the Southeast. “Since our first 65 Plus location opened in 2022, we have seen excellent patient experience and patient outcomes due to the strength of our inno- vative model,” said Pete November, CEO, Och- sner Health. “This relationship with Novant Health will expand our ability to provide expert care and allow us to scale our existing expertise to help more patients across the Southeast for years to come. Our partnership represents a new way for health systems to work together to transform healthcare delivery and achieve better outcomes for the communities we serve.” Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health Hosts Blessing of Bella’s Room Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health held a blessing of Bella’s Room at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital on July 31. The blessing was led by Father Paul Yi in conjunction with the Fran- ciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Sisters. The larger-than-average room provides plenty of space and abundant natural light, allowing loved ones to surround their child in a comfort- able environment, often during end-of-life care. The space is in honor of Bella Bowman, a former patient at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospi- tal, who passed away after a courageous battle with a brain tumor. Shortly after, the Bella Bow- man Foundation was established in her honor. In the years since, the Bowmans have provided families and patients with a sense of home dur- ing their stay through comfort care bags, holiday celebrations, and much more. “Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health is com- mitted to providing comprehensive and compas- sionate care to children throughout every stage of their healthcare journey,” said Shaun Kemmerly, MD, chief medical officer at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital. “We honor Bella’s memory and how this room prioritizes every family’s need for physical, emotional, and spiritual care.” Because of Bella’s special connection to her faith and Mother Mary, her family commissioned local artist Jacob Zumo to paint a mural in the entryway of the room. After a round of sketches and coordi- nation with the team and Bella’s family, the paint- ing of Our Lady of Fatima was created. The project was made possible by a grant awarded from the Sowing Seeds Fund and the McCollister family. “As an extension of our Mission and the mission of the Bella Bowman Foundation, Bella’s Room serves as a spiritual and healing presence for our families,” said Ann Marie Marmande, president of Our Lady of the Lake Foundation. “We are grate- ful for the generosity, gifts, and talents of the Bow- mans, Jacob Zumo, and the McCollister family. Together, we offer comfort to our patients and families throughout their journey.” Woman’s Hospital’s Rene Ragas Earns Grassroots Champion Award from the AHA The American Hospital Association, in conjunc- tion with Louisiana Hospital Association, pre- sented Woman’s Hospital President and CEO Rene Ragas with their 2023 Grassroots Cham- pion Award in recognition of his work to advance healthcare policy throughout the state. “Rene Ragas is a passionate leader and advo- cate for Woman’s Hospital and for healthcare in Louisiana,” says Paul Salles, president and CEO of LHA. “He is deeply committed to educating elected officials about the vital role his hospital plays in the community and how major health- care issues affect patients’ lives. He embodies the spirit of advocacy and community engagement that makes him truly worthy of the American Hos- pital Association Grassroots Champion Award.” The Grassroots Champion Award was created by AHA to commend hospital leaders who work to advance healthcare policy in their state and com- munity. The award was presented jointly by AHA and LHA at the state chapter’s annual meeting on July 24, 2023. Ragas serves on the Louisiana Hospital Associa- tion board of directors, is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and is a mem- ber of Vizient Southern States. He is a graduate of Leadership Louisiana and is an active volunteer with the Louisiana Special Olympics. FMOLHS Hosts Students through Reginald F. Lewis Scholar Program Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health Sys- tem (FMOLHS) hosted six students through the Reginald F. Lewis Scholar Program and served as one of the platinum sponsors of the Univer- sity of Louisiana’s third annual Black Male Summit. This program, specifically designed to enhance the collegiate experience of Black male students across the UL System, provides valuable opportu- nities for personal and professional growth. The summit brought together more than 650 students, educators, mentors, and professionals from across the state of Louisiana to address the unique challenges and opportunities facing Black men across the state. “The internship provided by FMOLHS through the Reginald F. Lewis program has been trans- formative. I had the opportunity to gain prac- tical skills, build connections and further my understanding of the healthcare industry,” said Ebenezer Aggrey, a student from Northwestern State University. “I am grateful for the support and mentorship provided by this program.” The Black Male Summit served as a platform to foster meaningful connections and collaborations among participants. It offered a range of work- shops, panel discussions, and networking oppor- tunities, allowing attendees to develop and refine their professional skills. The event also aimed to encourage dialogue on strategies to recruit, teach, advise, coach, and counsel Black male stu- dents in the UL System more effectively. Our Lady of the Lake Health Implements Sepsis Detection Technology A life-saving diagnostic tool that detects sep- sis in patients in under 10 minutes is now in use at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. Sepsis is the leading cause of mortality in hospitals