HJBR Jan/Feb 2024

42 JAN / FEB 2024  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Healthcare Briefs crashes occurred along a seven-plus mile stretch. Emergency responders from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Texas DPS, TxDot, TDEM, Port Arthur PD, Port Arthur FD, Jefferson County ESD-4 FD, Winnie-Stowell Volunteer EMS, and Acadian Ambulance service responded. Acadian Ambulance also responded with Ambus Multi- Patient Vehicle MPV 6-04. More than 28 people involved in separate accidents along the stretch of highway were evaluated and treated for inju- ries sustained, with six people being transported to local emergency rooms for further evaluation and treatment. On Oct. 23, on I-55 in Louisiana, Acadian responded to a multi-car pileup involving around 100 vehicles near milepost 22 in St. John the Bap- tist Parish, just outside of New Orleans. Aca- dian responded with 18 ambulances and four supervisor vehicles. A total of 46 patients were transported to area hospitals. Other agencies responding included Louisiana State Police, Man- chac Volunteer Fire Department (VFD), Poncha- toula VFD, Hammond Rural VFD, 8th Ward VFD, Natalbany VFD, Independence VFD, Loranger VFD, Tangipahoa Parish Fire District 1, and St. John Parish Fire Department. Acadian Ambulance urges drivers to exercise extreme caution when driving in foggy conditions. If drivers experience heavy fog conditions: • Turn your headlights on. If you can’t see 500 feet in front of you, you should have your low-beam headlights on. • Reduce speed. Speed limits are for ideal conditions; heavy fog is not an ideal condition. • Minimize distractions and increase follow- ing distance from other cars. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Receives $2.3MGrant The United Health Foundation announced a three-year, $2.3 million grant partnership with Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center to help increase access to prostate and colorectal cancer educa- tion, screening, and support for historically under- served individuals across Louisiana. Consistent screening and community educa- tion can help reduce disparities and improve the health of communities by improving the health of individuals. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center works with community partners to offer screening events in various settings, including barbershops. Studies have shown that partnering with barber- shops to deliver health information and services can improve African American men’s health. “What I find in rural communities particularly is that there is some reluctance to ask providers questions. Barbershops are a safe place, a trusted place, and are a place you go to frequently,” said Kevin Stephens, MD, chief medical officer, Unit- edHealthcare employee and individual plans of Louisiana. “We are honored to partner with Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center to help them expand these innovative ways to meet people where they are and bring healthcare to them.” Black individuals have the highest mortality rate of any racial and ethnic group for all cancers com- bined and for most major cancers. From 2015- 2019, African American men were 1.2 times and 1.7 times more likely to have new cases of colon and prostate cancer, respectively, as compared to non-Hispanic white men. In addition, according to America’s Health Rankings, the state of Louisi- ana has one of the highest rates of cancer among residents, currently ranked 43 out of 50 states. “In our ongoing effort to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer, we are grate- ful for the United Health Foundation’s generous grant partnership. This support will enable Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center to expand access to education and life-saving early detection cancer screenings for prostate and colorectal cancers in communities where it is needed most,” said Renea Duffin, vice president of cancer support and outreach, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “Together, we are breaking down barriers to care, ensuring that no one faces the challenges of prostate and colorectal cancer alone.” As part of the three-year grant partnership, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center will expand pre- vention education, early detection, diagnosis and treatment support, and survivorship programs to more people in underserved communities. More than 4,500 individuals will get free screenings for prostate and colorectal cancer, and nearly 10,000 will receive community outreach and education about specific prostate and colorectal cancer risk factors and prevention. Isiah Skinner, Jr. has been cutting hair for 35 years and hosting Barbershop Bashes for 10 of them. In that time, more than 700 screenings have been provided in a mobile health unit outside of Skinner’s Barbershop, and at least five cases of cancer were detected. “I had a few guys who told me if it wasn’t for me giving the event, they probably wouldn’t be around, because they were able to catch it early,” Skinner said. He is eager to see the number of the events grow to help more people. Vascular Specialty Center is NowBaton Rouge General Vascular Associates The Vascular Specialty Center is now part of Baton Rouge General as Baton Rouge General Vascular Associates. The clinic remains located at BRG’s Bluebonnet campus. BRG Vascular Associ- ates is led by Joseph Griffin, MD, FACS; Victor Q. Tran, MD, FACS; M. Vincent Weaver, MD, FACS; and Mickey Graphia, MD, who is a new addition to the team. Naomi Nelson will serve as director of vascu- lar services at Baton Rouge General, responsible for the operations of BRG Vascular Associates. CIS Earns Gold Awards for Cholesterol, Blood Pressure Control Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) has received two gold awards from the American Heart Association for its commitment to reduc- ing the risk of heart disease and stroke through cholesterol and blood pressure management. For the fifth year in a row, as part of the Tar- get: BP initiative, CIS has earned Gold Plus rec- ognition for the accuracy of blood pressure man- agement, with controlled blood pressure in more than 83% of hypertensive adult patients, surpass- ing the target of 70%. High blood pressure is the nation’s No. 1 risk factor for heart attack and stroke, but out of 116 million U.S. adults living with high blood pressure, less than half have it controlled to target level. “Through collective dedication to evidence- driven practices and consistent care, CIS achieved system-wide blood pressure control,” said Vinod Nair, MD, interventional cardiologist at CIS in Houma, Louisiana. “Our journey is a testament that when purpose aligns with persistence, the health of our community thrives.”