Black History is 365 days a year for Oliver Jones, financial analyst for our health system’s information services department. “It reveals the sacrifice, hardship and achievements our ancestors conquered for a better society,” he says. Jones has worked for our ministry for nearly four years, and this is his first job in healthcare. He says…
In Louisiana our kids get school breaks for Mardi Gras and Easter, but they may not understand the Lenten season between those two holidays or Ash Wednesday that begins the season. As a Catholic health system, we know Lent is about so much more. Sharing the Lenten journey with children can be a chance to…
As environmental services manager at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Chad Oppenheimer runs the daily operations of the hospital’s EVS department and has been part of our ministry for eight years. Working in healthcare runs in the Oppenheimer family. “My father was a nurse for 20 years and I’ve always gravitated towards helping…
After performing hundreds of heart valve replacements at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center and Our Lady of Lourdes Heart Hospital, renowned local heart surgeon Richard Dearman, MD, recently underwent a heart valve replacement of his own. As a cardiothoracic surgeon helping heart patients in Acadiana, Dr. Dearman participated in hundreds of heart procedures…
Surviving an extremely rare brain tumor as an undergraduate inspired Michelle L. Blake, MD, to become a doctor. Now Dr. Blake serves as co-associate medical director of the hospitalist program at St. Francis Medical Center. She manages the day-to-day operations and daily physician schedule for the hospitalist program. She’s also recently become associate program director…
John Lyons, III, MD, FACS, is a surgical oncologist at Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group Surgeons Group of Baton Rouge. Dr. Lyons earned his medical degree and completed his residency at Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans. He went on to complete a research Fellowship in cancer angiogenesis (the formation…
We love to let the good times roll, especially this time of year. Catch Some Beads When you head out to the parades with a plan to catch a lot of throws, remember to bring along sturdy, reusable bags to stash all your treasure. A backpack can be a great, hands-free idea, although dropping caught…
Throughout her 33-year tenure at St. Francis Health, Sharon Jones has held several positions and loved them all. “I’m dedicated to giving my best to anyone I encounter,” says Jones, who currently works as a clinical service representative in the occupational medicine department at St. Francis Health. Choosing a Healthcare Career Jones’ decision to pursue…
“The time is always right to do what is right.” This quote by Martin Luther King Jr. inspires Candace Y. Perry, during Black History Month and every day. Taking Time to Listen In her role as an emergency room tech at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Perry is intentional about the quality…
NeShana Bilbrew, RN, was a simulations engineer, developing algorithms for a missile systems company in Arizona when her mom was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. Her mom had surgery to remove the tumor at Our Lady of the Lake Health. “I was so moved by the way her doctors, nurses and staff on the…
Working at Our Lady of Lourdes Health runs in the family for Catherine Woods. Woods, nutritional service manager at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, has served in our ministry for 25 years in a number of roles. “I was always inspired to work at Lourdes by my mom, Drusilla Landry,” Woods says. Her…
As a clinic patient access representative at Our Lady of the Angels Family Medicine Clinic, Nicole Powell checks patients in and out, schedules appointments and assists doctors with their schedules. She’s been part of our ministry for a year and a half. Career Journey “My career has been most influenced by women, especially busy women…
Although she didn’t dream of being a nurse during childhood, Sheila Simpson, NHA, BSN, now knows it is her calling. Simpson serves as senior director administrator for skilled nursing at St. Catherine’s Village, a retirement community and St. Dominic’s ministry. She has been a St. Catherine’s team member for 33 years. In her current role…
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work with your spouse? Across our health system we have many married couples who work in our ministry. For Valentine’s Day we’ve gathered some of their stories and asked their advice for other couples who work together:Love at Our Lady of Lourdes: Trayton and Sadie BroussardTrayton and…
One in 10 Louisiana households with children have at least one child with asthma. Louisiana ranks in the top 25% of U.S. states for asthma-related deaths. Tracy Marquette, RRT, AE-C, coordinator for the Community Asthma Management Program and an asthma educator at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, shares what parents need to know…
Genealogy, or the study of family history, is a hobby that has fascinated millions of people for countless generations. Knowing where we come from and understanding those that preceded us help us to shape our understanding of who we are today. And while many genealogists spend their time researching life elements like the profession, military…
Director of Telemetry at St. Francis Medical Center, Sandra Brown, RN, says that she chose this career and has never looked back. “A friend of mine encouraged me to pursue a career to increase my ability to take care of myself,” Brown says. “I went to school and became a CST (certified surgical technologist) then…
As a house supervisor at Our Lady of the Angels Health, Marilyn Youngblood, RN, ensures smooth operation of our nursing units by assigning adequate staffing, utilizing bed control and providing additional resources when needed. Youngblood has served the Bogalusa community as a nurse for more than 40 years. Healthcare Career Inspiration “I was reared by…