HJBR Sep/Oct 2024

56 SEP / OCT 2024  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE   Hospital Rounds effective and more efficient option for managing their arrhythmias with significantly less complica- tions. The hospital is the first in the region to offer this state-of-the-art treatment. The PFA system utilizes innovative pulsed field energy to precisely ablate heart tissue. Unlike traditional thermal ablation techniques, PFA tar- gets specific heart tissues with high precision while sparing surrounding structures, leading to potentially fewer complications and faster recov- ery times for patients. “We are dedicated to investing in the latest medical innovations that can enhance patient outcomes and support our mission of provid- ing excellent healthcare to those we serve,” said Chuck Spicer, president of Our Lady of the Lake Health. “This new system will enable our world- class cardiovascular team to deliver exceptional outcomes for our patients, ensuring they receive the highest quality care available.” PFA’s non-thermal energy delivery system allows for highly targeted treatment of arrhyth- mias, which can lead to a more efficient procedure with potentially fewer post-procedural issues. This innovative approach offers new hope for patients who have struggled with AFib and provides a promising option for managing this common and often debilitating condition. Olivia Ragusa, MD, Joins Baton Rouge General Olivia Ragusa, MD, a family medicine physician, has joined Baton Rouge General (BRG) and will treat patients at Baton Rouge Family, BRG’s larg- est primary care practice located at the Bluebon- net campus. Ragusa earned a medical degree from LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport and completed a residency in family medicine at BRG’s Family Medicine Residency Program. She is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Louisiana Association of Family Physicians. Baton Rouge Family is located at 8595 Picardy Ave., Suite 100. Ochsner Health Announces $10MOchsner Louisiana Innovation Fund Ochsner Ventures announced the creation of the Ochsner Louisiana Innovation Fund, a $10 mil- lion fund for investments in early-stage, innovative health and health-adjacent companies in Louisi- ana. The fund is a partnership between Ochsner Health and Louisiana Economic Development (LED) through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), a program of the U.S. Treasury Department. The Ochsner Louisiana Innovation Fund will identify and invest in venture and seed-stage health companies that are headquartered or have a meaningful nexus in Louisiana. The fund will make equity investments in companies whose innovations will improve the health of Louisianans and the experience of healthcare professionals across the industry. Priority will be given to com- panies whose solutions advance Ochsner’s stra- tegic priorities of accelerating value-based care, digital transformation of care delivery, and improv- ing access and community health across the state, with a focus on supporting founders from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds (SEDI). “The Ochsner Louisiana Innovation Fund is one of the many ways we’re inspiring healthier lives and building stronger communities,” said Pete November, CEO of Ochsner Health. “Support- ing Louisiana entrepreneurs who are developing innovative programs, services and technologies, furthers our commitment to improve the health of the state and drives economic development and opportunity. We’re grateful to Governor Jeff Landry and LED Secretary Susan Bourgeois for their leadership and are excited to work along- side them to grow jobs in the state.” In the past six years, Ochsner Health has com- mitted $12M to funds and companies in Louisi- ana. This includes nine investments in early-stage companies whose products and services range from healthcare delivery and health tech to life sciences and value-based care. These companies are located throughout the state and support over 235 jobs. Because of Ochsner’s size and focus on healthcare, its portfolio companies benefit from expertise and mentorship from top-tier clinicians and healthcare management professionals, along with access to national networks of venture capital and healthcare experts. Visit the program website to learn more at https://www.ochsner.org/ventures/funds. Woman’s Hospital Adds NewBreast, Gynecologic Cancer Surgeons Woman’s Hospital welcomed two new surgeons, Lindsey Fauveau, MD, and Gabrielle Hawkins, MD. Fauveau joined Woman’s Breast Specialists Clinic while Hawkins joined the Woman’s GYNOncology Clinic, both located on the hospital’s main cam- pus in Baton Rouge. Fauveau is a board-certified and fellowship- trained breast surgical oncologist with more than a decade of experience. She specializes in breast cancer surgeries and advanced surgical tech- niques like oncoplastic and hidden scar breast surgeries. Fauveau graduated from Louisiana State Uni- versity and earned a medical degree with high honors from Ross University School of Medicine. She completed a general surgery residency at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans and a fel- lowship in breast surgical oncology at Baylor Uni- versity Medical Center in Dallas. Fauveau is board- certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and Olivia Ragusa, MD Lindsey Fauveau, MD