Jen Arceneaux, RNC-NIC, begins each day in the Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with a smile. It’s how she greets the babies in her care. During her first assessment, she talks to them just like she would with her own newborn. The conversation continues as Arceneaux performs…
Mental health problems are common in the U.S., but thankfully, mental health awareness is on the rise. 52.9 million adults in America lives with a mental illness according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Treating mental illness can be difficult, especially without the help of a mental health professional. People who have mental health…
Maintaining a healthy weight is key to overall health, and it can be harder for women to shed unwanted pounds. Having a coach and support system at St. Francis Medical Group has been the key to Holly Sullivan’s successful weight loss journey. Holly has lost 100 pounds so far on the Ideal Protein diet,…
Denny Erwin has always led a busy life. In addition to serving as billing manager for Louisiana Cardiology Associates, a part of Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group in Baton Rouge, he also enjoys spending time with his family, working in his yard and exercising on a regular basis. These activities always came easily…
It’s a stressful situation when Kathy Bryan has to bring her 85-year-old mother to St. Francis Medical Center as she deals with health issues including pain and difficulty breathing. However, the family is grateful that the St. Francis team embraces them with open arms and does their best to make everyone as comfortable as possible.…
Are you getting a good night’s sleep? Most of us struggle to achieve those seven-plus hours recommended for adults by most sleep researchers. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 1 in 3 Americans don’t get enough of it. Tyler Boudreaux, MD, of the Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group Men’s…
Minor cuts and scrapes happen on accident all the time. For the most part, cleaning the wound and applying a bandage is enough to have it healing up in no time. But it is still important to monitor the healing process to detect signs of infection. Learn those signs with the help of our infographic…
The days are getting warmer, the sun is shining and we’re all spending more time outside with our families and loved ones. May ushers in Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to sort through those bottles of sunscreen in the bathroom cabinet, dust off the floppy beach hats, and remind…
Self care is more than a hashtag. Women’s bodies have unique health needs. Certain habits can improve and maintain health and well-being. May S. Thomassee, MD, gynecologist and minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon with Lourdes Physician Group, shares her wellness advice for women. “In today’s world, women need to not only survive but to thrive,” she says.…
Many fond memories are built at overnight summer camp. It’s a rite of passage in some families, developing resilience and independence. With residential camps in full swing again this summer, we’ve collected some tips to make the experience safe and fun for your campers. 1. Make the Sleepaway Camp Decision How do you know if…
A defining characteristic of our health system is our Spirit of Healing, and as a team, guest services plays a key role in our mission and ministry. Eugenia Tate, a guest services concierge for Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, embodies that spirit, sharing her gifts and talents for all those who trust…
The feeling of not being able to fully breathe can be a symptom of both asthma and anxiety, and it can be tricky to tell the difference between the two. Frank Courmier, MD, pulmonologist with Lourdes Physician Group Pulmonology in Lafayette, helps us untangle the complexity and shares what patients should know about these manageable…
Daniel Seymour had visited doctor after doctor, dentist after dentist for a debilitating problem with his jaw. “I had trouble for about a year and a half,” he says. “It felt like my jaw was tightening up. Every doctor and dentist said it was TMJ. It got to the point that I could not open…
The grand adventure of parenting includes several changes along the journey. Kids experience incremental changes throughout childhood as they move from dependence to independence. Babies grow up and become preschoolers who transition into elementary school, then middle school, and on to high school. Supporting children through these transitions is key to their physical, emotional and…
A big part of parenting tweens and teens is educating ourselves about the latest social media apps and spotting potential pitfalls before our children get hurt. From simple embarrassment to much more dangerous situations, the risks of social media and other app use are real. Most teens use social media, and while there are good…
The process of healing begins with something so simple, so innate. Listening. Many of us are born with the ability, but time and experience, when interwoven with compassion, hone it into a skill that can help heal. No matter her the person’s age, background or situation, Dr. Sara Doguet, family medicine physician with Lourdes Physician…
Aimee Oldham, DNP, and her staff members were two minutes away from closing their medical clinic for the day when an elderly woman suddenly came through the door. Initially, they told her that they wouldn’t be able to treat her, but after seeing her distress, the team decided to stay late. The woman was experiencing…
When a patient comes in for an appointment with Theron McCormick, MD, he makes sure to eliminate all distractions. He shifts his body to face the patient directly. If they are sitting, he sits as well to make the patient feel more comfortable and less intimidated. If he wants to take notes or refer to…