Our Lady of the Lake Health’s groundbreaking partnership with LSU is one of the largest investments for the state’s health in Louisiana’s history. Catherine O’Neal, MD, chief medical officer of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and associate professor of clinical medicine specializing in infectious diseases at LSU Health Sciences Center, joins us…
Infection with respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is practically a rite of passage for young children. Most have been infected by age 2, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RSV in infants usually causes the common cold, but some can develop a more severe respiratory illness. Let’s explore some key facts about…
Carcinogens, or substances that can cause cancer, are all around us. They’re in cigarettes and secondhand tobacco smoke, in the exhaust from diesel trucks, and in chemicals commonly found in industrial jobs. But are there really carcinogens in the food you eat — that is, are there foods that cause cancer? And can other foods…
Your heart works diligently to pump blood and deliver oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. Taking steps to protect your hard-working heart is key to your overall health, well-being and quality of life. Safi Haq, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon with Our Lady of Lourdes Health, joins us on this episode of The Doctor Will Hear You…
You probably already know that regular exercise is important for good health. You might have also heard that the gold standard is 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. Although this is still true, there’s good news if you’re one of the many people who find it difficult to squeeze that amount of exercise into…
“Our Lady of Fatima,” a new mural inside Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, welcomes patients and their families who use Bella’s Room, a specially designed space for children receiving palliative care. The mural and Bella’s Room were blessed by Father Paul Yi of St. George Catholic Church in conjunction with the Franciscan Missionaries…
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition, the leading cause of death in hospitals. In this episode of The Doctor Will Hear You Now podcast, we learn about groundbreaking research and an innovative breakthrough at our health system poised to transform sepsis detection and care. Hollis “Bud” O’Neal, MD, medical director of research at Our Lady of…
Parents prioritize the health and well-being of their children, and one important way to do that is through regular immunizations. Vaccines are powerful tools to shield our little ones from serious illness and allow them to lead healthier lives. Donna Zappi Fox, MD, Board Certified pediatrician with Our Lady of Lourdes Children’s Health, shares why…
Kids can get sick anytime, including outside of business hours. Brian Bailey, MD, pediatrician with Our Lady of Lourdes Children’s Health, shares what parents should consider when trying to decide where to go to receive the right care. Conditions that Can Wait Fever in children over three months, common coughs, colds, minor rashes, mild stomach…
Active kids stay moving, so it’s not uncommon for them to experience a rolled ankle, especially during sports and playtime. As a parent, knowing how to handle this common injury will ensure your child’s comfort and proper healing. Bookmark these tips to know what to do if your little one suffers a sprained ankle. Assess…
Last June, Kelsey LeBlanc noticed something seemed amiss with her seven-week-old son, Nash. He had a slight fever and kept coughing. At a local emergency room, Nash was diagnosed with RSV and released shortly thereafter. But, Nash’s condition worsened over the next several hours. A second ER visit revealed the newborn had both RSV and…
Back to school also means back to the grind of packing lunches for many parents. Whether you’re packing food daily or you only need the occasional lunch or snack idea, kickstart your school year on a healthy note with these tips for packing wholesome lunches and snacks your little scholars will love. Get Buy-in from…
Although we may want to pretend death is never going to happen, preparing for end-of-life care is an important life step. Mary Raven, MD, medical director for the palliative care program at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, offers her insights and expertise to demystify the topic in this episode of our podcast.…
Getting back in the classroom can be a vulnerable time for some students’ mental health. Michelle Flechas, MD, Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health pediatrician, offers her advice for parents to help their children navigate this season. Open Communication and Family Dinners Maintaining open lines of communication is essential. Dr. Flechas suggests having family…
If you think running increases your risk of osteoarthritis, think again. Researchers found that recreational runners have a lower risk for knee and hip arthritis than people who sit most of the day. The key to going from sitting on the couch to running a 5K without pain is to build up to it. Follow…
The transition to college life is a big one. There are new responsibilities, new schedules to adjust to, so much studying, and for some students, it’s their first time living on their own. The college experience brings its own unique types of stress that can weigh on you if you aren’t prepared. Still, it’s OK…
Patients’ healthcare isn’t confined to a doctor’s office. Most of a person’s health and well-being is determined by factors other than illness or medical conditions. These social determinants of health (SDOH) are the focus of the latest episode of our podcast, The Doctor Will Hear You Now. Our guests are both from Our Lady of…
WHERE WE CAME FROM In 1911, six Franciscan Sisters left their homes in Calais, France, and selflessly set sail crossing the ocean at the request of Bishop Van de Ven of Alexandria, Louisiana, to open a hospital there. The Sisters called by God for this mission included: Sister Angelique Van Bockstale, Sister Brigida Comerford, Sister…