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PRESS
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PRESS RELEASESEvent Listings | Press Releases | Newsletter
SCPH Names Manager of the Year for 2008(January 1, 2009) Pamela Norfleet was recently named Manager of the Year for 2008 at St. Charles Parish Hospital.Mrs. Norfleet joined the hospital’s team in April, 1998 as Director of Rehabilitation Services. In 2004, she assumed the position of Director of Marketing and continues to serve in that role.Mrs. Norfleet has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education and a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy.Pam is a member of the Louisiana Society for Hospital Public Relations and Marketing. She was recently elected as a board member of the St. Charles Business Association. She is a member of the Head Start/Early Head Start Health Advisory Committee and also serves on the committee for the United Way of St. Charles Bridge Run. Pam also teaches religion at her local Church. Pam is married to Charles S. Norfleet, Jr. of Luling. She has 3 children, Lauren (23), Slade (18), and Cameron (14). Pam enjoys being with her family, exercising and reading.St. Charles Parish Hospital proudly recognizes Pamela Norfleet as Manager of the Year 2008. Congratulations, Pam, for a job well done!
Pictured from left to right: Fred Martinez, CEO, Pam Norfleet, Director for Marketing, Karen Guillot, COO
St. Charles Parish Hospital Expansion Wins Award (December 12, 2008) The David J. Vial, M.D. Patient Care Centré at St. Charles Parish Hospital recently won an Award of Merit in healthcare from South Central Construction’s “Best of 2008.” “Best of 2008” Construction and Design Awards were chosen from 100 nominated projects from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Voting on the Louisiana awards took place in Baton Rouge on September 9, 2008 and award winners were officially recognized at a luncheon on December 4, 2008 in Baton Rouge. The judges selected 34 projects as Louisiana’s “Best of 2008” based on the following criteria: Solutions to challenges; Project management; Construction innovation; Client service; Safety. The David J. Vial, M.D. Patient Care Centré features exciting new and expanded services in Cardiology and Dialysis Services, as well as Intensive Care, Medical-Surgical and Adult Behavioral Health Inpatient Units. The new three story expansion establishes St. Charles Parish as a Louisiana healthcare leader pioneering in sophisticated and innovative approaches that address patient needs and enhance patient care. David J. Vial, M.D. Patient Care Centre'
St. Charles Parish Hospital Nurses Recognized as Top 100 (November 3, 2008) Each year since 1986, the Great 100 Nurses Foundation honors who they consider to be Louisiana's 100 greatest nurses. This year, St. Charles Parish Hospital nurses Marilyn Frazier, RN, MS and Leiloni LeCompte, RN, BSN were recognized as two of the Great 100 Nurses of Louisiana in ceremony at the Pontchartrain Center. Nurses are nominated by peers, family members, friends, or patients who must answer three questions: What has the nominated nurse done for humanity, what has the candidate done for the profession, and how has this person served as a mentor or role model for other nurses? An anonymous group of reviewers then score the unidentified nominees based on nominators' answers to determine the Great 100. Leiloni LeCompte, a nurse of 7 years, said, “This is a very fulfilling job. To see the difference in patients from when they arrive at the hospital to when they leave is a reward in itself.” Leiloni is currently working on her masters degree and this is her first time being recognized as one of the Great 100 Nurses of Louisiana. For Marilyn Frazier, who has been a nurse for 37 years, this is her second time to be recognized as one of the Great 100 Nurses of Louisiana. According to Marilyn, “This was a real surprise to me. It just feels good to know that your peers think you do your job well enough to recognize you.”
Pictured Above from left to right: Marilyn Frazier, RN, MS and Leiloni LeCompte, RN, BSN
Proclamation of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (November 8, 2008)
On Monday, October 6, 2008 at the parish council meeting, the St. Charles Parish Council recognized the dedicated effort of St. Charles Parish Hospital in fighting breast cancer, and proclaimed October 2008 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in St. Charles Parish. St. Charles Parish Hospital’s Digital Mammography Facility is accredited by the American College of Radiology. St. Charles Parish Hospital has an experienced, well trained staff and offers Full Field Digital Mammography, the latest technology in breast imaging. Computer Aided Detection (CAD) is used in conjunction with digital mammography to highlight specific areas of interest within the breast. The result is shorter exam times, better visibility of the breast tissue at the skin line, and lower doses of radiation for patients with dense breast tissue. In addition to digital mammography and computer aided detection, the hospital also utilizes the Mammo Base Tracking System which tracks a patient from exam to follow-up. The American Cancer Society and The American College of OB & GYN recommend that women get a mammogram at age 35, and another one at age 40. Women should get a mammogram every 2-3 years between the ages of 40 and 50, and every year after age 50. The causes of breast cancer are not fully understood, however, research has identified a number of risk factors which increase a woman’s chance of getting breast cancer which include but are not limited to: having a mother, sister or daughter who has had breast cancer, never having children, having a first child after the age of 30, and being overweight or gaining weight as an adult. If you meet these risk factors, you should consult a physician immediately. Encourage the women in your life to have a mammography today to ensure that they will live a healthy and happy life.
St. Charles Parish Hospital Promotes Breast Cancer Awareness (October 1, 2008)
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Each year, more than 211,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women in the United States. Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast tissue cells. In all parts of the human body cells go through cycles of growth and rest. When a person’s genes are in good health and working correctly cell growth is kept under control. However, when genes develop an abnormality they may lose their ability to control the cycles of cell growth and rest. Early detection is the most effective way to fight breast cancer and the most common method of detecting breast cancer is Mammography. St. Charles Parish Hospital offers the newest method of breast imaging, Full Field Digital Mammography, in which images are instantaneously downloaded for the radiologist and doctor to view. The result is shorter exam times, better visibility of the breast tissue at the skin line, and lower doses of radiation for patients with dense breast tissue. Computer aided detection (CAD) highlights specific areas of interest within the breast that the radiologist should be alerted to and is used in conjunction with digital mammography. In 1992 the United States Congress passed the Mammography Quality Standards Act to ensure that mammography facilities throughout the country are reliable and of the highest standard. St. Charles Parish Hospital’s Mammography facility is accredited by the American College of Radiology. The American Cancer Society and The American College of OB & GYN recommend that women get a mammogram at age 35, and another one at age 40. Women should get a mammogram every 2-3 years between the ages of 40 and 50, and every year after age 50. According to Shailaja Raj, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., R.E.I., “Women tend to postpone or avoid having an examination because of the discomfort associated with a regular mammogram. With the hospital’s state-of-the-art equipment which makes the exam easier on the patient, this should no longer be a concern.” It is also important that women get a clinical breast exam from a physician and frequently perform breast self-examinations to monitor any changes. The causes of breast cancer are not fully understood, however, research has identified a number of risk factors which increase a woman’s chance of getting breast cancer which include but are not limited to: having a mother, sister or daughter who has had breast cancer, never having children, having a first child after the age of 30, and being overweight or gaining weight as an adult. If you feel you have these risk factors, you should consult a physician. Some common symptoms of breast cancer include nipple discharge, retraction or indentation of the nipple, breast lump and skin changes. If you notice any of these symptoms you should contact a physician immediately.
St. Charles Parish Hospital and Ochsner Announce Partnership Collaboration Expands Specialty Care in St. Charles Parish (September 9, 2008) NEW ORLEANS, LA – St. Charles Parish Hospital and Ochsner Health System announced today they have signed a letter of intent to create a clinical affiliation and have forged a long-term partnership. The agreement will include Ochsner assisting St. Charles Parish Hospital in filling clinical gaps in service, expanding clinical services, and will further Ochsner’s investment in the West Bank region to better meet patient needs. “The decision to sign this letter of intent is beneficial to the long-term health of St. Charles Parish Hospital,” explains Federico Martinez, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of St. Charles Parish Hospital. “Residents of St. Charles Parish will benefit from this partnership because we will be able to utilize Ochsner resources to enhance our clinical services, provide administrative, human resources, and group purchasing support as well as assistance in physician recruitment, one of the goals identified in SCOPE (St. Charles Overall Planning Effort).” According to Martinez, “St. Charles Parish Hospital will remain committed to providing quality, compassionate healthcare to the residents of this community and will maintain an open medical staff.” “We are pleased to announce our affiliation with St. Charles Parish Hospital, which will over time enable St. Charles Parish residents who have to travel for specialty care to spend less time traveling and more time accessing healthcare in their own neighborhood,” said Patrick Quinlan, Chief Executive Officer of Ochsner Health System. “We wanted to establish this collaboration to further enhance our presence on the West Bank which will allow us to offer improved access to sub-specialty care for patients closer to home.” “Communities along the West Bank are some of the faster-growing areas of the city, and as residents return to the area, demand for healthcare has increased,” explains Quinlan. Patients of the facility will also benefit from the added enhancements of Ochsner’s electronic medical records technology that will complement what the hospital already has, enabling patients to receive even faster medical care at any Ochsner location. Ochsner continues to invest in the West Bank and Bayou areas. In February 2006, Ochsner and St. Anne General Hospital in Raceland, LA, announced a partnership to expand healthcare in the Bayou and has brought additional specialized medical services to Lafourche Parish. And in October 2006, Ochsner purchased the former Meadowcrest, now known as Ochsner Medical Center – West Bank in Gretna. About Ochsner Health System Ochsner Health System (www.ochsner.org) is a non-profit, academic, multi-specialty, healthcare delivery system dedicated to patient care, research and education. The system includes seven hospitals and over 35 health centers located throughout Southeast Louisiana. Ochsner employs over 600 physicians in 80 medical specialties and subspecialties and over 300 clinical research trials annually. Ochsner was ranked one of the “Best Places to Work” by New Orleans CityBusiness in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and received the Consumer Choice for Healthcare in New Orleans for 12 consecutive years. Ochsner was ranked as “Best” Hospital by U.S. News and World Report in 2007. Ochsner has over 10,000 employees system-wide. About St. Charles Parish Hospital St. Charles Parish Hospital, a not-for-profit, 59-bed acute care facility, has recently completed an expansion of inpatient services including medical-surgical, intensive care and adult behavioral health units, as well as a chronic dialysis center and outpatient cardiology department. Emergency, EMS, surgical and outpatient services complete the provision of care. State-of-the-art technology throughout the expansion and newly upgraded imaging departments, along with some of the best medical professionals in the area provide for enhanced patient care. St. Charles Parish Hospital is located at 1057 Paul Maillard Road in Luling, LA, just 20 minutes from New Orleans. For more information, visit www.stch.net or call (985) 785-6242.
St. Charles Parish Hospital Welcomes Medically Needy of St. Charles Parish (September 5, 2008) As the medically needy residents of St. Charles Parish were bused back home, St. Charles Parish Hospital was there to provide the health care they needed. Patients were bused directly to St. Charles Parish Hospital where they were greeted by staff. They were individually transported to the Initial Assessment and Vital Sign stations where nurses and physicians reviewed patients’ medical history. After meeting with the patient, a physician determined whether the patient needed emergency services, urgent care, dialysis or if they could be released to return to their homes. Once patients received medical treatment they were taken to the Social Services Coordinator who conducted a post treatment interview to determine what they would need once discharged. Patients were provided with information on available resources in and around the parish that could help meet their needs. Patients’ family or home health care givers were contacted to let them know they have returned home and they could come and pick them up. If no ride was available the Social Services Coordinator organized transportation, utilizing the St. Charles Parish Hospital Patient Transportation Bus, to patients’ homes or shelters if their homes were not safe to return to. Once patience were discharged they were treated to a hot meal in St. Charles Parish Hospital’s cafeteria, while the patient transportation driver obtained MRE’s to disperse to patients once they reached their destination. One dialysis patient commented that he was very impressed with the way the situation was handled. He was amazed that the hospital was able to provide the care he needed and help him secure the medicine he needed for the coming weeks.
St. Charles Parish Hospital Hosts Pre-Sports Physicals (August 18, 2008) St. Charles Parish Hospital provided pre-sports physicals for 349 students of the middle schools in St. Charles Parish on Saturday, August 16, 2008. The pre-sports physicals are an annually organized event by St. Charles Parish Hospital, at the request of the middle schools, in order to provide parents with a convenient way to get physicals for their children for the upcoming school year. Students received a thorough screening which included a musculoskeletal assessment, vision screening, height and weight, vital signs, review of medical history and physical assessment by a physician. Coaches from each school were present to meet with parents and students and answer any questions they may have. Tyra LeBlanc, who brought her daughter to receive a physical, said, “I was truly expecting to be here for hours, but everything was so well organized that we moved from station to station very quickly. Everyone at the hospital was so friendly and I was very impressed with the way things moved so smoothly.” This event is an opportunity to provide a wonderful service to the community of St. Charles Parish, and it would not be possible to do so without the efforts of St. Charles Parish Hospital’s dedicated staff. When asked about the pre-sports physicals, Roxanne Elliot, RN, said, “Everyone really enjoys this experience. I love to help these students and the parents are all so appreciative. It makes you feel good about providing this service for the community.”
Pictured Above:Left-Michael Lang receives a musculoskeletal assessment from Robyn Tregre, P.T Right-Suzanne Hood conducts a vision screening with Brionne Armstrong
Doctors Serve Community for 30 Years (August 11, 2008) This July, C. Jayakrishnan, M.D. and V.N. Devarajan, M.D., known as “Dr. Jay” and “Dr. Raj” respectively, celebrated their 30 years of service at St. Charles Parish Hospital. Both practice Internal Medicine while Dr. Jay specializes in Cardiology and Dr. Raj specializes in Nephrology. Both attended medical school at Madras University in India and completed their residencies at Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center. After completing their residencies the life-long friends began working in New Orleans. While working in the city, they decided to open a practice in a smaller community where their services were truly needed. When they first arrived at St. Charles Parish Hospital the facility was small. There was no ICU and very little in terms of technology. Dr. Jay and Dr. Raj were often called upon to help staff the Emergency Room. However, they saw the potential for growth and improvement and opened their practice in a trailer next to the hospital. After building a successful practice on the west bank of St. Charles Parish, they expanded to the east bank in November of 1988 to better serve the entire parish. Through the years they formed a close working relationship with the hospital’s administrative team, and as St. Charles Parish grew, so did the hospital. New and improved facilities were constructed and industry-leading technology was acquired. According to Dr. Jay, “It is very important to have a rapport with the people you work with. The growth and improvement of the hospital could not have taken place without the vision, planning and execution of our administration’s plan.” In 1990, Dr. Jay was named head of the Cardiology Department at St. Charles Parish Hospital. Since then, the Cardiology program has continuously developed by adding sophisticated, high-tech diagnostic equipment and includes the area’s only nationally certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. The Cardiology department recently moved into a new 3800 sq. ft. area in the David J. Vial, M.D. Patient Care Centre’. Dr. Raj was named head of Nephrology in 1980 and began seeing the hospital’s first nephrology patients. In 2004, St. Charles Parish Hospital opened a Dialysis Center to meet the growing needs of the community and provide residents with the highest quality of care available without having to travel great distances. The Dialysis Center has been continuously growing and has the capability to manage end-stage kidney diseases, as well as treat acute kidney failure. Dialysis has also recently moved into the David J. Vial, M.D. Patient Care Centre’ which increased its capacity from eight to 14 stations. Ten years ago, with diabetes becoming a growing health problem, Dr. Raj started the Diabetic Support Group at St. Charles Parish Hospital to better educate parish residents on living a healthy life with the disease. Over the years Dr. Jay and Dr. Raj have seen many changes in the provision of healthcare. Dr. Raj stated that, “Since we started here at St. Charles Parish Hospital, healthcare in general has become more preventive and patients are better educated because of the internet. Also, with the expansion of facilities and implementation of new technologies, the hospital has come a long way.” When asked what Dr. Jay and Dr. Raj mean to St. Charles Parish, Karen Guillot, COO of St. Charles Parish Hospital, said, “It is rare that such wonderful physicians as Dr. Jay and Dr. Raj make a lifetime commitment to a small community. We are extremely lucky to have them.” C. Jayakrishnan, M.D. "Dr. Jay" V.N. Devarajan, M.D. "Dr. Raj"
St. Charles Parish Hospital Hosts School-to-Career Internships (June 6, 2008) St. Charles Parish Hospital, in collaboration with the St. Charles Parish Public School System, recently hosted three teacher interns from the School-to-Career Program. The participants for this years program were Julie Bexford, a Science teacher from Harry Hurst Middle School, Karen Russo, a counselor from Hahnville High School and Candice Schmidt, an English/Journalism teacher from Destrehan High School. The 2-day program provides educators with an opportunity to get a better understanding of the healthcare environment. They learn about the careers their students may be interested in pursuing, as well as the schooling required, areas of academic strength need for particular fields of study, salary ranges and the daily demands of various jobs. The first-hand experience they gain enables them better educate students about particular fields in healthcare, as well as enhance the material being taught in their classes with application to healthcare professions. Following a brief orientation, the teachers were given a basic tour of the hospital. On the second day of the internship, the teachers were given a more in-depth tour of the hospital and were able to interact closely with the different departments. When asked what she was most impressed with, Candice Schmidt said “ I was impressed with the technology, the friendliness of the staff and the wonderful opportunities for employment right here in our parish.” St. Charles Parish Hospital is happy to be a part of this wonderful program, and proud to help educate the future leaders of the healthcare industry.
Pictured from left to right are: Pam Norfleet, Director of Marketing at St. Charles Parish Hospital, Karen Russo, Counselor at Hahnville High School, Julie Bexford, Science Teacher at Harry Hurst Middle School, Candice Schmidt, English and Journalism Teacher at Destrehan High School, and Debbie Star, RN, Educator at St. Charles Parish Hospital.
Patients Move into Expansion (May 12, 2008) As of Wednesday, May 7, 2008 the David J. Vial, M.D. Patient Care Centré of St. Charles Parish Hospital is officially open and housing patients. On Wednesday morning, all Medical-Surgical and ICU patients were relocated form the old units in the main hospital to the new units in the David J. Vial, M.D. Patient Care Centré. The new units feature rooms that are more patient friendly, individual nursing station at each room, and a holistic approach to a healing environment. In addition to Medical-Surgical Unit and ICU, the David J. Vial, M.D. Patient Care Centré also houses new Cardiology and Dialysis units which have been seeing patients since the last week of April. An Adult Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit is located on the third floor and will begin receiving patients very soon.
Grand Opening Celebration & Dedication Ceremony for Community (March 17, 2008) On Saturday, April 19, 2008 St. Charles Parish Hospital will host a Grand Opening Celebration and Dedication Ceremony for the David J. Vial, M.D. Patient Care Centré. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to tour the new facility, have fun with family oriented activities and celebrate an important medical expansion for our community. The event will begin at 10am and last until 2pm and will include a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony, tours, food and entertainment featuring St. Charles Parish Hospital’s award winning jambalaya, and children’s activities including a Teddy Bear Clinic where kids can bring their teddy bears in for a check-up, fire department safe houses and “Sparky” the Fire Dog. The David J. Vial, M.D. Patient Care Centré will include the following: First Floor • Cardiology • Chapel • Dialysis Center • Intensive Care Unit Second Floor • Medical-Surgical Unit Third Floor • Adult Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit The Grand Opening Celebration and Dedication Ceremony will be held on Milling Avenue behind St. Charles Parish Hospital in Luling. Parking will be available near hospital with shuttle transportation. For more information call (985) 785-3607.
Louisiana's Dietetic Technician of the Year (March 12, 2008) Cynthia Potier, DTR, Dietetic Technician/Patient Services Coordinator for St. Charles Parish Hospital, has been recognized as the Dietetic Technician of the Year in the State of Louisiana. This award is voted on by Dieticians from across Louisiana and will be presented to her at a banquette in Bossier City on April 24. The Dietetic of the Year Award is intended to recognize the professional contributions of dietetic technicians who belong to the American Dietetic Association, and encourage their continued participation with the association. In order to qualify for the award dietetic technicians must meet strict criteria which includes membership in the American Dietetics Association, active participation in national, affiliate or district associations, demonstration of concern for the promotion of optimal health and nutritional status of the population and display leadership within the association or place of employment. According to Blaine Guillot, Director of Food and Nutrition Service, “ Having an employee like Cynthia is a great asset to St. Charles Parish Hospital. Her extensive knowledge and skills and exceptional work ethic make her a vital part of our team.” Potier, a graduate of Nicholls State University, has been a registered dietetic technician since 1992 and has been employed by St. Charles Parish Hospital for the past five years. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association as well as a member of the Commission on Dietetic Registration. According to Potier, she loves her job “because it offers a variety of experiences. This job is never boring and you never know what you might be doing next.”
Pictured above are Cynthia Potier and Blaine Guillot.
Peanut Butter Drive a Great Success (February 8, 2008) Many needy people benefited from the generosity of residence in St. Charles Parish. During the recent Luling and Des Allemands parades, St. Charles Parish Hospital participated in the annual Peanut Butter Drive for the St. Charles Parish Social Concerns. Hospital employees accompanied “Mrs. Peanut” in both parades collecting donations of peanut butter and money along the way. Thanks to the generosity of the community, the hospital was able to collect 496 jars of peanut butter and $568 in cash. The food drive was a great success and St. Charles Parish Hospital would like to thank everyone who donated. You have made this event a wonderful success and have help many of the less fortunate citizens of St. Charles Parish.
National Nutrition Month (February 2, 2008) In celebration of National Nutrition Month 2008, St. Charles Parish Hospital will host a “Learn to Eat Healthy” seminar presented by Laurie Acosta RD, LDN, CDE on Wednesday, March 22, 2008 at 6:00 pm in class room A. This seminar is one component of the “Nutrition: It’s a Matter of Fact” campaign. The seminar will encourage people to take the first steps toward making healthy food an physical activities choices. For help with a personalized healthy eating plan, go to www.eatright.org to locate a registered dietitian in your area. Top ten facts from the experts at the American Dietetic Association:
For more information on National Nutrition Month and a health diet contact St. Charles Parish Hospital’s Dietician Laurie Acosta, RD, LDN, CDE, at 985-785-4285.
St. Charles Parish Hospital Provides Online Patient Education Tool (December 31, 2007) At St. Charles Parish Hospital we believe a patient's well being is above all else. We realize sometimes questions slip your mind when dealing with one of our healthcare professionals, and now you can search for answers 24 hours a day. Simply visit the hospital’s web site (www.stch.net) and click on the link at the bottom of the page titled Online Health Information. You will be taken directly to Krames Online, the most up-to-date online patient education resource. With access to more than 4,000 topics relating to health and medication, Krames Online allows you and your family the ability to find answers to most questions, both big and small. Just click on the search function to begin. St. Charles Parish Hospital is committed to making sure you get the care you need, the answers you deserve and the resources to make it happen. The information provided through health links is for educational and information purposes only, and is not intended to replace medical advice from your health care provider.
Proclamation of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October 17, 2007) On Monday, October 1, 2007 at the parish council meeting, the St. Charles Parish Council recognized the dedicated effort of St. Charles Parish Hospital in fighting breast cancer, and proclaimed that October 2007 is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in St. Charles Parish. St. Charles Parish Hospital is an Accredited Digital Mammography Facility by the American College of Radiology with an experienced, well trained staff and offers Full Field Digital Mammography, the latest technology in breast imaging. Computer Aided Detection (CAD) is used in conjunction with digital mammography to highlight specific areas of interest within the breast. The result is shorter exam times, better visibility of the breast tissue at the skin line, and lower doses of radiation for patients with dense breast tissue. In addition to digital mammography and computer aided detection, the hospital also utilizes the Mammo Base Tracking System which tracks a patient from exam to follow-up. After addressing the council, Peggy Smira, Director of Imaging Service stated that “St. Charles Parish Hospital is excited to be able to provide this technology to the residents of our community.” Dr. Shailaja Raj, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., R.E.I., attended the council meeting to address the council about the importance of breast cancer awareness, the need for women to get mammograms, and the importance of self examinations and screenings. The American Cancer Society and The American College of OB & GYN recommend that women get a mammogram at age 35, and another one at age 40. Women should get a mammogram every 2-3 years between the ages of 40 and 50, and every year after age 50. According to Dr. Raj, “Women tend to postpone or avoid having an examination because of the discomfort associated with a regular mammogram. With the hospital’s state-of-the-art equipment which makes the exam easier on the patient, this should no longer be a concern.” The causes of breast cancer are not fully understood, however, research has identified a number of risk factors which increase a woman’s chance of getting breast cancer which include but are not limited to: having a mother, sister or daughter who has had breast cancer, never having children, having a first child after the age of 30, and being overweight or gaining weight as an adult. If you meet these risk factors, you should consult a physician immediately. Encourage the women in your life to have a mammography today, and ensure that they will live a healthy, happy life.
Pictured above from left to right are : Albert Laque, St. Charles Parish President, Pam Norfleet, Director of Marketing at St. Charles Parish Hospital, Dr. Shailaja Raj, M.D. F.A.C.O.G., R.E.I., and Peggy Smira, Director of Imaging Services at St. Charles Parish Hospital.
Hospital Wins Peoples’ Choice for Gumbo (October 5, 2007) Congratulations to the St. Charles Parish Hospital “Cooking Cajuns” for winning the Peoples’ Choice Award for best gumbo at the Battle for the Paddle. The Battle for the Paddle is the Gumbo and Jambalaya cooking competition that marks the beginning of St. Charles Parish’s annual United Way campaign. This is the second year that St. Charles Parish Hospital has sponsored a team for the competition.
The winning team member were: Lisa Tassin – Recovery Room, Karen Avila – Clinical Supervisor of Same Day Surgery, Carol Faucheaux – Director of Human Resources, Peggy Smira – Direct of Imaging Services, Sterling Poche – Director of environmental Service, Jimmy Miller – Director of Rehab Services, Jason Baudoin – Imaging, and Blaine Guillot – Director of Food and Nutrition Services.
Cardiac Rehab Recertification (September 20, 2007) St. Charles Parish Hospital’s Cardiology Department recently received its national recertification in Cardiac Rehabilitation from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. St. Charles Parish Hospital was originally certified in 2004 and this is its first recertification process. In order to qualify for certification, a hospital must first meet rigid criteria. Extensive information about the department must be submitted to a national governing society in several main categories in order to assure compliance with the national standards. These include the standards for exercise and individualized assessment by the American College of Sports Medicine, care planning, and outcome measurement. All staff members must demonstrate competency in cardiac rehabilitation methods, and the facility must be emergency ready. By receiving this recertification, St. Charles Parish Hospital is one of only 27 hospitals in Louisiana, and the only hospital in the River Parishes to be recognized as a nationally certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Center. Director of Cardiology Laurie Salas, RN, BSN said “We are one of a few small hospitals in the state with a Cardiac Rehab Center that offers a comprehensive program. It is wonderful to see our hospital is so dedicated to Cardiac Rehabilitation that it allows us to offer such an outstanding program. Once the hospital’s expansion is complete, we will be moving into a new 3,800 sq. ft. department with all new exercise equipment that will allow us to consolidate all of the Cardiology services in one place.” The hospital must apply for recertification every three years ensuring that the staff, equipment and facilities will always be up-to-date with the latest in cardiac rehabilitation.
Pictured above is the Cardiac Rehabilitation Team. From left to right: Gerald Miller, Karman Champagne, Laurie Salas, and Rosalind Morris
St. Charles Parish Hospital Recognized by Parish Council (June 19, 2007) The St. Charles Parish Council recently recognized St. Charles Parish Hospital for receiving the Silver Level 2006 Hospital Quality Award, presented by Louisiana Health Care Review, Inc., the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Louisiana. With this award, St. Charles Parish Hospital has been recognized for improving the quality of health care given to their patients in two of four designated clinical areas, and is only one of 51 hospitals in the state to achieve this level of recognition or higher. The Hospital Quality Award honors Louisiana hospitals that are performing quality initiatives aimed at improving patient care in the hospital setting. This is the second year these awards have been presented. The award recognizes St. Charles Parish Hospital for actively improving care in the area of Acute Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack) and Pneumonia. The clinical topics measured for the awards have been designated as national health care priorities by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Staff members from St. Charles Parish Hospital have been working with quality improvement specialists from Louisiana Health Care Review, Inc. (LHCR) to use proven, evidence-based practices to improve care for their patients. “The medical staff of St. Charles Parish Hospital is dedicated to providing the very best in patient care and our efforts have been enhanced through our quality improvement partnership with LHCR. We are extremely proud to be a recipient of these distinguished awards,” said Fred Martinez, Jr., St. Charles Parish Hospital Chief Executive Officer. To learn more about St. Charles Parish Hospital, visit the hospital web site at www.stch.net.
Pictured above: Lance Marino, St. Charles Parish Councilman, Fred Martinez, St. Charles Hospital CEO, and Brian Fabre, Council Vice-Chairman
St. Charles Parish Hospital Receives Louisiana Hospital Quality Award (April 2007) St. Charles Parish Hospital has received the Silver Level 2006 Hospital Quality Award, presented by Louisiana Health Care Review, Inc., the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Louisiana. With this award, St. Charles Parish Hospital has been recognized for improving the quality of health care given to their patients in two of four designated clinical areas, and is only one of 51 hospitals in the state to achieve this level of recognition or higher. The Hospital Quality Award honors Louisiana hospitals that are performing quality initiatives aimed at improving patient care in the hospital setting. This is the second year these awards have been presented. The award recognizes St. Charles Parish Hospital for actively improving care in the area of Acute Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack) and Pneumonia. The clinical topics measured for the awards have been designated as national health care priorities by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Staff members from St. Charles Parish Hospital have been working with quality improvement specialists from Louisiana Health Care Review, Inc. (LHCR) to use proven, evidence-based practices to improve care for their patients. “Louisiana Health Care Review is pleased to recognize hospitals such as St. Charles Parish Hospital for achieving measured improvement in patient care. More importantly, we know that utilizing proven standards of care can save lives and we applaud the work of these hospital teams in their dedication to quality patient care for the people of their community,” said LHCR Chief Executive Officer Gary Curtis. “As the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Louisiana we are committed to working with providers in all health care settings to improve the health and health care of Louisianans.” “The medical staff of St. Charles Parish Hospital is dedicated to providing the very best in patient care and our efforts have been enhanced through our quality improvement partnership with LHCR. We are extremely proud to be a recipient of these distinguished awards,” said Fred Martinez, Jr., St. Charles Parish Hospital Chief Executive Officer. To learn more about St. Charles Parish Hospital, visit the hospital web site at www.stch.net.
Pictured from left to right are: Minh-Trang Tran, Director of Health Information Management, Karen Guillot, Chief Operating Officer, Martin A. Belanger, M.D., Chief of Medical Staff, Sue Sihvonen, RN, Quality Improvement Specialist for Louisiana Health Care Review, Inc., Sallie Herrle, Director of Quality Management, Federico Martinez, Jr., Chief Executive Officer.
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Mrs. Peanut collects donations along the parade route.
St. Charles Parish Hospital | 1057 Paul Maillard Road | Luling, LA 70070 | (985) 785-6242 | (985) 785-3686 fax
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