Keeping little ones safe is a never-ending task, and it’s important to consider toy safety all year round. But with the onslaught of Christmas gifts, parents should take a look at the toys their little ones receive around the holiday. The biggest risk is choking, which can cause severe lack of oxygen, or asphyxia. We’ve…
Diapers and wipes are a no-brainer gift for new parents. But if you’re looking for pediatrician-approved presents, ParentingU’s got you covered. Grant Clinkingbeard, MD, pediatrician with Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health in Covington, shares his top picks for gifts for new parents. Diaper Cream Spatula Almost all new parents inevitably will have to manage…
Ota – otalaryng – otalaryng-what? When Lisa Morris, MD, and Laura Hetzler, MD, FACS, were guests on a recent ParentingU podcast episode, they helped us learn to say and know the meaning of a lot of important terms parents may hear and use when it comes to otolaryngology, or ear, nose & throat care. Dr. Morris and…
Christmas is almost here, but choosing the best, safest gifts for little ones can be a year-round challenge. Grant Clinkingbeard, MD, pediatrician with Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health in Covington, shares his top picks for presents to give young children. Ages 1-2: Books, Blocks and Mobility Toys Reading to children is one of the…
In November 2022, Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital’s Trauma Center was upgraded to a Level II pediatric trauma center by the American College of Surgeons, making it the first and only pediatric trauma center in the Capital Region to receive this prestigious distinction. The recognition from the ACS highlights the robust, multi-disciplinary care…
Seizures in children are scary, and parents understandably have questions and concerns. Kenneth Habetz, MD, pediatric neurologist with Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital, shares what parents should know about seizures and epilepsy in this ParentingU podcast episode. Understanding Seizures A seizure is abnormal electrical activity in the brain that correlates with some…
As a teenager, Robert Gauthier thought smoking cigarettes was the cool thing to do. A native and resident of Lafayette, Robert saw that many of his friends were smokers, so he decided to join the crowd. What he once thought harmless led to Robert smoking a pack of cigarettes per day, spending at least $40…
Years ago, the Juneau family welcomed triplets in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St. Francis Medical Center. “The appointment was at 11 a.m. and we walked across the street to the hospital and by 1:09 pm, Daniel was born,” says Mark Juneau. “I mean it was that quick.” Angela Juneau says she got…
For many in the Gulf South, cooler weather is a welcome treat after a long, hot summer. For parents, an incoming cold front may bring questions along with it. Here are pediatrician-approved tips for parents about how to keep kids safe and warm in colder weather and during holiday travel. Car Safety As you are…
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common, annoying problem. According to the National Institutes of Health, women have a 50% chance of experiencing UTI symptoms sometime during life. Once you have a UTI, you have a 27 percent chance of experiencing a second UTI within six months. With UTIs, you experience all sorts of bladder…
“We love it. I think this is what we’re meant to do, it’s a little hard to watch the kids come and then they get ready and they go. You get attached,” smiles Lloyd Ferris. It’s a family affair for the Ferris Family. Dawn Ferris has worked at the St. Francis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for…
Fever is one of the most common reasons why parents bring their children to the doctor. Considering how common it is, it is important for parents to understand what qualifies as fever and how they should respond to it. What Qualifies as a Fever? Fever is any temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Is Fever an…
Jeffery Rushworth is nearing his first birthday, and that’s a milestone his parents weren’t sure they would see. “They were strapping her and wrapping her, doing all kind of stuff, and I was panicking and I was like what the heck is going on and they’re going we’re going to have a baby,” says Jim…
Why wait until New Year’s Eve to make your New Year’s resolutions? Planning what you’d like to accomplish months before Jan. 1 allows you to be more thoughtful about your goals—and start laying the groundwork to achieve them. This fall, follow best practices for setting and achieving your New Year’s resolutions and prep for next…
Cleft lip and cleft palate are quite common, with one in 700 kids nationwide having such a diagnosis. Thanks to early-in-life repairs, most are only left with a thin, fine scar. Co-directors of Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health Cleft and Craniofacial Multidisciplinary Team, Lisa Morris, MD, and Laura Hetzler, MD, FACS, share what…
Jeannie Tomlinson currently serves as a patient access representative at the Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group clinic in Walker. She has been employed with our health system for more than a year. Tomlinson is a member of the Adai Caddo Tribe of Robeline, Louisiana, and one of her favorite family traditions is going…
Many families rely on St. Francis Medical Center to make it through a tough time, including the Finney family. Curtis and Sarah Finney’s son, Weston, spent 102 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St. Francis Medical Center. What started as a normal day ended with a surprise birth months ahead of schedule.…
LaQuita Cooper, RN, has worked at St. Francis Medical Center as a registered nurse on the telemetry unit for the past seven years. Cooper started at St. Francis as a nurse tech on the telemetry unit after graduating from nursing school and continues to work there. Celebrating Her Navajo Culture and Heritage Cooper is a…