HJBR Sep/Oct 2024

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE I  SEP / OCT 2024 57 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalBR.com professor of clinical medicine and infectious dis- eases. In her role, she teaches the next genera- tion of healthcare providers and participates in research initiatives focused on rapid diagnostics and antibiotic utilization. O’Neal completed medical school and res- idency at Louisiana State University Health Sci- ences Center New Orleans and an infectious dis- eases fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. During the fellowship, O’Neal completed training in infection prevention, a skill set that proved essential in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, she was appointed as the chief medical advisor for the Southeastern Conference responsible for facilitating the development of conference-wide medical initiatives and standards to ensure consistent policies related to physical health, mental health, and holistic wellness. Our Lady of the Lake Health Announces 2024 Dr. Eugene Berry Award for Surgical Education Our Lady of the Lake Health announced Florina Corpodean, MD, as the 2024 recipient of the Dr. Eugene Berry Award for Surgical Education. This prestigious award is funded by the Our Lady of the Lake Foundation thanks to the generosity of retired heart surgeon Eugene Berry, MD. Established in 2023, the Dr. Berry Scholarship is a highly selective monetary award for an out- standing categorical general surgery resident. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to excep- tional LSU surgical resident leaders, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential and their career goals. “We are thrilled to recognize Dr. Corpodean as the 2024 recipient of the Dr. Berry Award for Sur- gical Education,” shared John Lyons, MD, sur- gical oncologist at Our Lady of the Lake Health and coordinator of the award. “This award rep- resents a commitment to fostering the next gen- eration of surgical leaders and innovators here in our community.” This award will fund Corpodean’s participation in the American College of Surgeons’ Residents as Teachers and Leaders course. Upon completion of this course, Corpodean will share the highlights of her experience with peers in her surgical resi- dency and the surgical faculty. n “At Ochsner, we prioritize both the health of our patients and the well-being and growth of our employees who are the heart of our organi- zation. Receiving this honor from Newsweek reaf- firms our commitment to an inclusive, support- ive and dynamic work environment,” said Tracey Schiro, executive vice president, chief people and culture officer, Ochsner Health. “Finding a great workplace is an important deci- sion that needs to factor in pay, respect, training and advancement as well as healthy work-life bal- ance. Newsweek and market-data research firm Plant-A Insights are proud to publish ‘America’s Greatest Workplaces 2024,’ the second annual ranking that highlights companies which are com- mitted to offering a positive and supportive work- ing environment,” said Nancy Cooper, global edi- tor in chief, Newsweek . Catherine O’Neal, MD, Appointed Chief Academic Officer for FMOLHS Catherine O’Neal, MD, has been appointed to the newly created role of chief academic officer for the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (FMOLHS). In her new position, O’Neal will leverage her passion and commitment to gradu- ate medical education to advance the health sys- tem’s strategic academic vision. She will focus on ensuring alignment and consistency with all aca- demic partners across the health system. O’Neal has been practicing medicine since 2003, specializing in the research and treatment of infectious diseases. She has held numerous clinical leadership roles throughout her career, all focused on driving improved patient outcomes and devel- oping zero-harm care environments. In March 2020, just days prior to Louisiana’s first confirmed COVID-19 case, O’Neal was appointed chief medical officer at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. O’Neal was one of Louisiana’s leading voices during the COVID-19 pandemic, serving as a national expert provid- ing frontline information from hospitals, offering invaluable guidance to state officials that helped shape the state’s response, and advocating for community vaccination. Since 2009, O’Neal has served on the faculty of Louisiana State University Health Sciences Cen- ter New Orleans, most recently as an associate Society of Surgical Oncology. Hawkins is a board-certified and fellowship- trained gynecologic oncologist with over 10 years of experience. She specializes in the prevention, detection, and treatment of gynecologic cancers including cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar. Hawkins graduated from the University of Vir- ginia and earned a medical degree with high hon- ors. She also earned a master of science degree in biological science from Drexel University College of Medicine/Hahnemann University. She com- pleted both an obstetrics and gynecology resi- dency and a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at the University of North Carolina Hospitals in Cha- pel Hill. Hawkins is board-certified by the ABOG Board in Gynecologic Oncology and Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Ochsner Health Named Among America’s Greatest Workplaces by Newsweek For the second consecutive year, Ochsner Health, has been named one of America’s Great- est Workplaces for 2024 by Newsweek and Plant- A Insights Group. Ochsner’s inclusion on this year’s list highlights the health system’s dedication to delivering excellence in inclusivity, employee empowerment and innovative culture. Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group rec- ognize the America’s Greatest Workplaces in the United States by conducting a large-scale employer study based on 1.5 million comprehen- sive company reviews from more than 250,000 employees. Ochsner Health was awarded a five- star rating in the large-size company category. Gabrielle Hawkins, MD