From outpatient clinic clerk to seasoned nurse and clinical care supervisor, April Toney, LPN, has worked for Our Lady of the Angels Health for nearly a decade. April joined our team in 2014 as a clerk in an outpatient clinic, arriving around the time “when the Angels came.” That was the year our health system…
Research is often thought of as something done in a lab — examining bacteria under microscopes or testing on animals. But research makes its biggest impact in a medical setting, where it improves patient lives through things as simple as surveying a patient, drawing blood or even just monitoring their eating habits. Every medical advancement…
Valentine’s Day serves as a beautiful reminder to prioritize the health of our physical hearts while strengthening the love we experience through our parent-child bonds. This Valentine’s Day, let love be the guiding force in your family. Use these tips from ParentingU to enjoy this season of love in good health! Strengthen Your Hearts Together…
During the sacred season of Lent, many families in south Louisiana are faced with the challenge of ensuring their children receive proper nutrition even when abstaining from meat on Fridays. Explore these tips from ParentingU as we share ideas for delicious meat alternatives that not only adhere to Lenten practices but also promote a healthy…
In January 2023, Destiny O’Bryan was starting to worry about her daughter. At 3 years old, Ahnalyse Choplin wasn’t much of a napper, but suddenly the once-energetic toddler was taking four to five naps a day. After checking her temperature and finding a fever of 104 degrees, Destiny brought Ahnalyse to their pediatrician in Lafayette. …
Fueling our kids’ growth with nutritious food is a constant for parents. As our tweens and teens gain independence helping them develop and maintain healthy eating habits puts a new spin on the constant “what’s for dinner” question. In this ParentingU podcast episode, Lisa Le, MD, pediatrician with Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health…
Maybe you’ve been talking to your doctor about clinical trials to treat a particular condition, researching clinical trials for a loved one or just generally curious about how they work. Use this guide to help clear up some questions you might have. What is a Clinical Trial? Clinical trials are an important part of clinical…
Safeguarding our children’s health is a top priority, and when it comes to flu, understanding lesser-known complications and taking proactive steps to avoid them is critical. Stories of scary complications, not being able to walk after being sick with the flu, can make parents want to keep their kids in a bubble until spring. Kali…
Parenting can be a caffeine-fueled journey, from late-night baby soothing to surviving teen curfews. As our children grow up, their caffeine consumption often grows too. That can be tricky, especially for tweens and teens who see friends – and parents – consuming a lot of caffeine. Kali Broussard, MD, pediatrician and pediatric infectious diseases specialist…
Bringing a child into the world is filled with joy, excitement and anticipation. For Kristen and Michael Gabriel, their journey through all maternity took an unexpected turn when complications arose during Kristen’s pregnancy. The Gabriels share about the challenges they faced, the resilience they discovered and the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with a baby…
We all know the age-old adage that hot chicken soup is good for a cold. But what other foods and ingredients offer health benefits to help protect your body against cold symptoms? First, as your primary care provider will tell you, nothing can truly cure a cold — not even over-the-counter cold meds. There are,…
Our health system continues our dedication to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by partnering with leading organizations on Disability Employment Awareness initiatives. These collaborations signify a pivotal step in fostering a more inclusive workforce within the healthcare sector. In an effort to provide individuals with developmental delays and cognitive differences with greater opportunities in the workforce,…
Buckle up! The road to independence for teens often includes that first turn behind the wheel and eventually their own driver’s license. Teen driving isn’t just about handling the vehicle and always wearing a seatbelt – although both are very important! In this ParentingU podcast episode, Grant Clinkingbeard, MD, pediatrician with Our Lady of the Lake…
We want our children to grow up healthy, happy and performing their best in school. Packing nutritious winter lunches is one way to set them up for success. Check out these warm lunchbox ideas from ParentingU to provide fuel for your kids’ growing bodies while supporting brain development and concentration skills. Warm Them Up Keep…
As we say goodbye to the festive chaos of the holidays and welcome crisp January air, many parents find solace in the notion of returning to routine. The new year offers a fresh page on the calendar and the chance to embrace the comforting rhythm of daily family life. Amidst the resolutions and aspirations, one…
As Our Lady of the Lake’s medical director of research, Dr. Hollis “Bud” O’Neal’s responsibilities include developing and improving access to experimental therapies while also providing opportunities for medical students and residents to learn how to effectively conduct research. The Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corporation (LWCC) Foundation launched its Louisiana Well Again grant program, which funds…
This rare surgery provides new hope for patients with aggressive cancers. Mo Al Efishat, MD, FSSO, surgical oncologist at Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute, has performed the rare Appleby surgery to treat patients with gastric cancer. Dr. Al Efishat was able to remove all of the patient’s cancer with negative margins and the…
Sleep-deprived, groggy and perpetually glued to a screen? Parents, tweens and teens may all be in need of a little extra shut-eye, and ParentingU has tips to help you reclaim restful nights. Natalie Derouen, MD, pediatrician with Our Lady of Lourdes Children’s Health who practices in Maurice, Louisiana, offers her advice to help parents better…