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…
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…
Take a moment and help your new year start on the right foot with a healthcare game plan.
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…
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…
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…
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…
When Scarlett Phillips, a sophomore at LSU’s University Laboratory School, first felt a pain in her knee last fall, she thought it was from cheerleading practice. “I just kept thinking I was being dramatic,” she says. “I wanted to push through for my team.” Her coach of eight years, Millie Brown, saw something different. “She…
Learn about ATV safety before you head out riding one.
Artificial intelligence is changing how we search, learn and even care for ourselves. From ChatGPT to Co-Pilot, AI tools are becoming our go-to for quick health answers. But how do you know what to trust? Nearly half of U.S. adults now say they’ve used AI tools like ChatGPT to search for health information. These tools…
Epilepsy is far more common than many people realize, affecting one in 26 people during their lifetime. In Louisiana, more than 55,000 children and adults live with epilepsy. For families, the challenges go beyond seizures. As pediatric neurologist Yash Shah, MD, explains, “Seizures are just the tip of the iceberg. Below the surface, children may…
Thanksgiving isn’t just about the meal — it’s about the moments made while preparing it. Getting kids involved in the kitchen helps them feel proud of what they create, teaches valuable cooking skills and makes the day more meaningful for everyone. These easy, family-friendly recipes are designed with little helpers in mind with simple steps,…
Celebrate gratitude this season! Create a family gratitude chain that teaches thankfulness, strengthens bonds and inspires spiritual reflection.
At just 27 years old, Katelyn Carmouche’s world shifted in a moment she never saw coming. Two weeks before her daughter Ellianna’s second birthday, Katelyn was diagnosed July 15 with Stage 3 triple negative breast cancer. The Carmouche family had been living in Korea, where Katelyn’s husband, Nathaniel, was stationed with the military. “We loved…
When 76-year-old farmer Dan Branton thinks about his care at St. Dominic Hospital, one word rises above the rest: grateful. Dan, who has farmed in the Mississippi Delta for more than five decades, became the first patient in Mississippi to undergo a new minimally invasive procedure to repair a dangerous aneurysm. Which involves both the…
When Connie Angelle first came to Our Lady of Lourdes, she wasn’t sure what her path would be. A friend had recruited her to take a nursing aide class, and she decided to give it a try. Forty-five years later, she’s still here, having found her place in the ministry of healing. “I was just…
For nearly half a century, Deborah Ellis, RN, has been a steady, compassionate presence at St. Dominic’s. This year, we honor her 45 years of service in endoscopy and beyond. A Journey from Canada to Mississippi Debbie’s career with St. Dominic’s began in an unexpected way — thanks to Sister Josephine, who traveled all the…
When Barbara Love began her career with St. Francis Health in 1980, she had no idea it would become a lifelong calling. What started as a secretarial position in the Social Services Department grew into a 45-year career rooted in service, compassion and faith. “I started as a secretary in social services,” Barbara recalls. “After…