Inside the Structural Heart Program at St. Francis
Learn how St. Francis’ Structural Heart Program brings advanced, minimally invasive heart care to Northeast Louisiana, helping patients improve their quality of life.
Why Skipping Meals Can Backfire for Kids and Teens
Skipping meals can backfire for kids and teens, impacting metabolism, focus and growth. A pediatrician explains why consistency matters.
A Heart-Healthy Valentine’s Treat for Families
Looking for a healthier Valentine’s treat? These sweet potato brownies are kid-friendly, heart-healthy and perfect for celebrating with family.
What to Know About Baby Sleep Regression
If your baby’s sleep suddenly changes, you’re not alone. Learn what sleep regressions are, what helps and when to check in with your pediatrician.
A Geaux Hero Who Keeps Giving Back
Jerry Couvillon’s story with FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake started before he ever went home from the hospital, and it’s still unfolding today. “I was born at the Lake in 1959 when it was by the lake downtown,” he says. “I had life-saving surgery when I was 12 hours old, and they’ve…
Geaux Hero: A Speedbump on Michael’s Road of Life
When Michael King was told he had stage 4 esophageal adenocarcinoma, his response wasn’t fear or disbelief. “I actually said, ‘Let’s knock this out.’ I didn’t feel sorry for myself or anything like that.” That mindset, shaped by decades of service as a Vietnam veteran and Baton Rouge police officer, has carried Michael through nearly…
Sports Medicine Isn’t Just for Athletes. It’s for Anyone Who Wants to Keep Moving
When most people hear sports medicine, they picture athletic trainers sprinting onto a football field or doctors working the sidelines on game day. Sports medicine has far less to do with jerseys and stadiums and a lot more to do with everyday life. Vincent Shaw, MD, sports medicine and family medicine physician with FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group, joined Medical Monday…
Moments That Matter: Healthcare in Action
At St. Francis Medical Center, a housekeeper and a nurse show how courage, compassion and presence turn ordinary moments into lifesaving care.
Flu, Cold or Allergies? How to Tell the Difference
How to tell the difference between novel coronavirus, flu, allergies and the common cold.
How to Actually Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions
January brings hope. But by the second Friday of the new year, often dubbed Quitter’s Day, many people begin drifting away from their New Year’s resolutions. That’s not because you lack willpower. It’s because change is hard and habits take time to build. The good news? You can stick with your goals with the right mindset and tools. Why Most People…
Flu and RSV Are Spiking: What Parents Need to Know This Winter
Louisiana often sees respiratory viruses ramp up early, and flu activity can reach high levels quickly once the season begins. Pediatric infectious disease specialists say that when flu and RSV start circulating at the same time, as they often do in the colder months, families may notice symptoms popping up fast in young children. At FMOL Health…
Purposeful Presents: Holiday Gifts That Build Brains
The holidays feel magical on their own, but choosing gifts that also support your child’s development? That’s the kind of magic that lasts long after the wrapping paper is gone. Four of our pediatric experts share how parents can use purposeful play to support milestones, build skills and spark connection. Because the toys your child loves most can also help strengthen their…
Ja’Kayden’s Journey from Wheelchair to the Marching Band
After four years in a wheelchair, 14-year-old Ja’Kayden is walking again. And not just walking. He’s marching across the field with his school band, keeping rhythm to a beat that’s entirely his own. For his mom, Kawanda, watching him take those first steps after years of uncertainty felt almost unreal. “We went from appointment to…
Your 2026 Health Game Plan
Take a moment and help your new year start on the right foot with a healthcare game plan.
A Small Taste, Big Impact: Earlier Exposure to Peanuts Reduces Allergy Risk
A new study from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) brings welcome news for parents: peanut allergies in young children are significantly declining, and it’s linked to introducing peanut products earlier in infancy. The research, published in Pediatrics, reviewed health records from nearly 125,000 children nationwide. After the AAP began recommending early peanut introduction, allergy…
Healthy Holiday Baking: Easy, Festive Ways to Add Nutrition & Fun
The holidays are the perfect time to turn everyday baking into festive fun, and with a few simple swaps, you can sneak in extra nutrition without losing an ounce of the magic. April Hamilton, RN, pediatric GI and healthy weight nutrition nurse with FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health, shares her…
Geaux Hero: Robert’s Second Chance
On March 31, 2025, Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Williams was directing traffic at a large oil tank fire in Livonia. As fire trucks left the scene, a distracted driver failed to stop, striking Robert and a fire official’s pickup truck. He was knocked unconscious and suffered life-threatening injuries. “I went airborne, hit the…
Pancreatic Cancer Patient Overcomes Obstacles to Get Back on the Tennis Court
Tennis is life to Shelby Dufrene. She played tennis in college at University of Louisiana – Lafayette and has taught tennis in Baton Rouge for more than three years. Nothing could keep her from the tennis court — even a diagnosis of stage 3 pancreatic cancer. And it was thanks to one of her tennis…