Ochsner
FALL 2021
SERVE, HEAL , LEAD, EDUCATE AND INNOVATE
One Village Over Half a Million Vaccines The COVID-19 vaccine rollout was one of the most complex operations in the history of Ochsner Health. From supply chain to lively Vax Fests, here’s how the Ochsner team made it happen. ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
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ow cancer patients are communicating emotions through art, H thanks to a tireless and talented volunteer (page 4) ow St. Tammany Cancer Center - A Campus of Ochsner H Medical Center is revolutionizing oncology care (page 11)
• F rom dance floors to digital festivities: How Ochsner’s
philanthropy team reimagined annual special events (page 12)
FOUNDATION BOARD
DE AR FR IE NDS, At this time last year, we had no idea how long the COVID-19 pandemic would last. There were many unknowns about the
Gayle Benson
vaccine timeline and distribution. We balanced caution with
Miles P. Clements
optimism as we participated in the Pfizer and Janssen vaccine
Joseph R. Dalovisio, MD
trials, and looked toward the future.
Frank C. Dudenhefer, Jr.
What a difference a year makes. Today, the Ochsner community counts a successful vaccine rollout among our proudest accomplishments. As of October 3, we have administered 571,607 COVID-19 vaccines across the state, with more than 700 vaccine teams deployed at
William B. Emory Calvin Fayard, Jr. Gregory D. Flores
over 250 locations—and I’m thrilled to share the inside story of how we pulled off this
Paul H. Flower
extraordinary effort.
Tommy Fonseca
From 24-hour mass vaccination events to pop-up sites at local churches,
Sarah G. Freeman
community centers, malls and even grocery stores, Ochsner has led the effort to
Wilmer “Bill” Freiberg
get Louisianans vaccinated. You’ll read about the physicians, nurses, administrators,
Marcel Garsaud
systems managers and IT professionals out in the field from dawn till dusk, embodying our mission to lead and serve the community in times of greatest need. The ongoing vaccination effort is a crucial part of our mission to provide equitable access to healthcare in the diverse communities that comprise the Gulf South, but
Lee L. Giorgio, Jr. John M. Hairston Desiree R. Harrison
it’s only the beginning. In these pages, you’ll learn about how St. Tammany Cancer
Tara C. Hernandez
Center – A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center is revolutionizing oncology treatment
Todd B. Johnson
and providing access to more patients throughout the region. You’ll read about one
John Kennedy
tireless volunteer who is using a universal visual language to help cancer patients
Margaret L. Laborde
and honor her late husband’s memory, and cutting-edge research that’s changing how we respond to COVID-19. None of this would be possible without the generous support of our donors. In the past year, we’ve learned how the pillars of our mission intertwine. We could
Cliffe F. Laborde John P. Laborde Michael J. Maenza
not heal without a rigorous public health campaign educating the community about
Steve Nathanson
the vaccine, and we could not serve without the innovative technology that allowed
Chadwick Landry
us to quickly set up vaccine sites in parking lots and shopping malls. Above all, we
Lori K. Ochsner
could not lead without individuals like you who provide support for the experts
Karen T. Stall
making a difference and living their purpose every day.
Pamela Steeg
Warner L. Thomas President & CEO, Ochsner Health
Warner Thomas Catherine Burns Tremaine Norris Williams
To support philanthropy at Ochsner, please visit:
giving.ochsner.org WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU! PLEASE SEND COMMENTS TO PHILANTHROPY@ OCHSNER.ORG.
See this magazine and all our archives online at:
ochsner.org/magazine Browse other projects made possible by donors at:
ochsner.org/donorimpact
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OCHSNER EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP Warner L. Thomas President and Chief Executive Off icer Robert Hart, MD, FAAP, FACP Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Off icer Michael Hulefeld Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Off icer Scott J. Posecai Executive Vice President, Insurance Partnerships and Treasurer Pete November Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Off icer Leonardo Seoane, MD, FACP Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Off icer Tracey Schiro Executive Vice President, Chief Risk and Human Resources Off icer David Carmouche, MD Executive Vice President, Value-based Care and Network Operations, Ochsner Health Network President, Ochsner Health Network
IN THIS ISSUE Coming Full Circle
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Af ter losing her husband to cancer, Aruna Moudgil began to volunteer at Ochsner Health. Using the power of mandalas, she’s helping cancer patients communicate the unspeakable.
One Village Over Half a Million Vaccines
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Mark Muller Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development
The COVID-19 vaccine rollout was one of the most complex operations in Ochsner’s history. From the supply chain to lively 24 hour Vax Fests, here’s how the Ochsner team made it happen.
David M. Gaines Chief Executive Off icer of System Retail Services and Senior Vice President of Public Affairs
Miracles in the Making
Michelle Dodenhoff Senior Vice President and Chief Development Off icer Jennifer F. Bollinger Senior Vice President of Consumer Strategy
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Combining an integrated treatment space and state-of-the-art technology, the St. Tammany Cancer Center – A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center is revolutionizing cancer treatment.
OCHSNER MAGAZINE Lea Witkowski-Purl Maida Jones Megan St. Germain Editors
MARKETSMITHS CONTENT STRATEGISTS LLC Alizah Salario Custom Publishing Editor Amy Schraub Art Director
Bridging the Divide
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Pivoting f rom in-person to virtual special events presented a challenge for Ochsner’s philanthropy team, but our dedicated sponsors were unwavering in their support.
Glimpses
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Hurricane Ida brought destruction to the Gulf South. Once again, Ochsner healthcare workers rose to the occasion. Cover photo by Daymon Gardner The cover photo was taken on the third floor of the Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer Center lobby space. Near the Meditation Room, this space is f illed with art and light, with a gorgeous view of the Mississippi River, inviting calm and healing for patients and visitors. The background shows a sculpture titled “White Wave” by Laurel Porcari, which is meant to represent the ebb and flow of the river. It is a perfect complement to the healing qualities of the building. Art courtesy of Cole Pratt Gallery. Some images may have been taken prior to COVID-19 regulations.
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A Full-Circle Approach to Healing Aruna Moudgil’s mandala art program brings hope and light to cancer patients By Kirby Kelly | Photo by Stephen Legendre
Aruna Moudgil is helping others heal through the power of art. Originally from India, Aruna emigrated to North America at age 26 in 1985. She married her late husband Suman “Tony” Moudgil in 1983, and they built their life together in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was there that Aruna earned her master’s degree in economics and launched a career as an entrepreneur and later as a pharmacy technician—and explored a variety of artistic interests including knitting, needlework and sketching.
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In 2017, Tony discovered that he had developed terminal NonHodgkin’s lymphoma. “Tony was such a healthy and active person—he was a bodybuilder and the best swimmer I knew,” Aruna said. “Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is incredibly rare and difficult to detect, so by the time we learned his cancer was there, he had a year left.” As Tony’s cancer progressed, she took solace in the care he received at Ochsner. “The team at Ochsner was beyond supportive in our journey—
they make patients feel like they matter,” she said. Tony’s circle came to a close on September 24, 2018, when he passed away at age 68. In June 2019, Aruna began volunteering at Ochsner, where she introduced patients to mandalas, a circular style of art originating from Buddhism. “I felt something was missing, a way for patients to own who they are and find a sense of belonging. For those going through a cancer journey, how you get through it is more important
It doesn’t matter how
difficult life gets—art gives me a w a y t o ex p r e s s m y f e e l i n g s and communicate, even when it’s hard,” said Aruna Moudgil, a volunteer for Ochsner Medical Center - Baton Rouge. “Art is a way to connect with others and help them in new ways.
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Aruna Moudgil (above) began volunteering at Ochsner in 2019, shortly after her husband Tony received care there.
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than the end result, so I provided a way for individuals to focus on the day-to-day.” For Aruna, mandalas, often characterized by balanced symmetry and vibrant colors, are the perfect vehicle to help patients and their families express their feelings and process emotions about their cancer journeys. “It doesn’t matter which culture, faith or religion you’re in,” she said. “Mandalas are a circle representing the continuity of daily life. They remind us that every day we do something special: we start from one end and close it to the next.” If a picture is worth a thousand words, a mandala is worth a million. Aruna witnesses firsthand how patients use color and pattern to express complex emotions and foster dialogue, even when they’re feeling stuck. Aruna recalled one woman who had difficulty communicating with her kids during her battle with cancer. Art was a powerful form of nonverbal expression that helped to strengthen their bond. “I can’t even put into words how beautiful it was to witness—suddenly, this mother had her family back.” Mindfulness and mandalas Today, Aruna continues to help others as a volunteer, keeping her late husband’s legacy and vitality alive. Additionally, she is a planned giving donor to the Tony Moudgil Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Research Fund in support of people diagnosed with the disease who cannot afford treatment. Her efforts are highly valued by the Ochsner team. “Aruna is a very patient and kindhearted individual who understands what others are going through during their illness,” said Valencia
Aruna (right) guides a cancer patient as he creates a mandala, a therapeutic process that can help people feel at peace.
Anderson, head of volunteer services for Ochsner Baton Rouge. “There are lots of feelings when sick: feelings of irritation, sickness, fear, uncertainty, anger. Coloring mandalas is a safe, creative and therapeutic process that helps people find mindfulness and feel at peace.” The pandemic halted some of Ochsner’s art programming, but it will incorporate more artistic mediums and opportunities for patient interaction, including a wishing tree. Aruna handcrafts origami figures for patients and caregivers to decorate with mantras and words of encouragement and inspiration, then hangs them on the tree. “As a medical innovator, Ochsner welcomes volunteers to share stories and talents that can help patients in any facet,” Valencia said. “We provide
the most up-to-date options on the cutting edge of innovation through art in medicine. We pride ourselves on a diverse, multidisciplinary team that is dedicated to transforming health and healthcare experiences. Volunteers like Aruna add layers of diversity to our perspective to give more meaning to our patients.” Aruna has channeled the loss of her husband into a powerful project with a positive impact. “My husband used to call the doctors and nurses ‘Tony’s Angels.’ They were there 24/7 to help with anything he needed and answer all my questions,” Aruna said. “If there’s anything I want to achieve, it’s giving people hope—just like the team at Ochsner has done for us. If I see someone making progress, that’s a win for me.”
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In the Wake of COVID-19, Hundreds of Ochsner Staffers Came Together to Launch an Ambitious Vaccination Drive. This Is Their Story. By Maggie Serota | Photos by Daymon Gardner
If you live in Louisiana, you may have come across a COVID-19 vaccination site at your local church or mall. Perhaps you saw a big brass band playing at the Shrine on Airline during a 24/7 weekend vaccine fest. Or maybe you’ve been among the many people lined up in their cars at one of Ochsner’s drivethrough vaccination sites. Thanks to the dedication and unity of purpose of its team members, Ochsner Health successfully administered 571,607 vaccines statewide as of October 3, via 700 vaccine teams, with 170,000 shots administered in a community setting. Ochsner staff and volunteers made
this enormous effort look easy—and even fun at times. Here’s how they did it. Anticipating the vaccine: thoughtful planning, rapid execution It takes a village, not to mention months of extensive planning, to launch such an undertaking. As investigational COVID-19 vaccine trials began in the summer of 2020, Ochsner Health partnered with Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE to enroll participants in the Phase 2/3 trials—one of two clinics in Louisiana to participate. Thanks to the clinical trials, Ochsner
already had experience with vaccine administration and distribution when meetings for the vaccine rollout began in mid-September 2020, well before the shot was widely available. By December 2020, the Ochsner team administered the first round of vaccinations for eligible patients in the 1A priority group, which included front-line medical personnel and at-risk populations. As eligibility expanded, the team scaled their operation to include mass vaccination sites across the state to support thousands of patients and hundreds of staffers. On February 10, Ochsner held its
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We b e g a n t o t a l k d a i l y a b o u t h ow we [ co u l d ] m a p o u t a p r o ce s s t h a t wo r ke d fo r a l l p a r t i e s a n d fo r o u r p a t i e n t s .
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– Dawn Pevey Dawn Pevey CEO of System Centers of Excellence & Service Lines
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O u r t e a m p l a ye d a key r o l e in managing the demand, a cce s s i b i l i t y , a n d i n ve n t o r y f luctuations of equipment, d ev i ce s , a n d o t h e r c a r e items that supported our va cc i n a t i o n d r i ve s . Régine Villain Senior Vice President & Chief Supply Chain Officer
first mass vaccination event at drivethrough sites throughout the state. The goal? To vaccinate approximately 3,600 patients per day—and that’s when healthcare workers were really put to the test. I t all began on Zoom: care in a culture of collaboration Dawn Pevey, CEO of System Centers of Excellence & Service Lines for Ochsner Health, who coled the COVID command center, was among the key players involved in coordinating the vaccine rollout. “We began to talk daily about how we [could] map out a process that worked for all parties and for our patients,” Pevey explained. “That communication and rhythm kept everyone aligned and on the same page.” The effort kicked off with daily Zoom meetings, led by Pevey, where team leaders from emergency management, operations, IT, supply chain, registration scheduling, community relations and more shared their plans and updates. Hundreds of Ochsner physicians, pharmacists, administrators and volunteers worked in tandem to bring the ambitious
vaccination plan to fruition. According to Pedro Cazabon, MD, an Ochsner Health primary care physician involved in the vaccination effort, Ochsner’s culture of collaboration contributed to the rollout’s success. He credits the leadership of Sarah Roberts, COO of Community Care at Ochsner Health, and Laura-Reed Lee, Manager of Business Operations and Planning at Ochsner Health, as integral to the project. “We do coordinated care well, and so it was more about just getting everybody on the line and then listening to all the perspectives,” Dr. Cazabon said. “It’s only scary if you don’t know what somebody across the lake is thinking and planning. And so when everyone’s on the same page, literally on the same phone call, some of the fears and the uncertainties go away.” The challenges from storing vaccines to providing PPE Even with the team working in lockstep, the challenges of setting up mass vaccination events remained. “Vaccination work really started with our pharmacy team,” said Pevey, whose daily tasks included
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– Régine Villain
overseeing Ochsner’s pharmacy team. “Over a year ago, when there was conversation around vaccinations, our pharmacy team really began to prepare and make sure we had all the appropriate refrigerators and freezers. Storage of the COVID-19 vaccine was a critical element, different from other vaccines, that had to be in place before patients could receive vaccinations.” One of the biggest operational uncertainties was handling the vaccine itself. “It had to be drawn up by a pharmacist in a very orchestrated method,” Dr. Cazabon explained. It also had to be stored at a specific temperature and used before its expiration, variables that required heightened vigilance and close attention from staffers. To prepare for the initial high demand for the vaccine, workers needed proper personal protective equipment (PPE). That’s where Régine Villain, Ochsner Health’s Chief Supply Chain Officer, came in. She and her team were responsible for sourcing and securing PPE, and then ensuring that all mobile sites were adequately inventoried with a long list of supplies (continued on next page)
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and gear that included syringes, gauze, mask, gowns, gloves, bouffant caps, shoe covers, alcohol preps, hand sanitizers, wipes and more. “Supply chain maintained a very close communication loop with the testing side to support whatever was needed on location. Our team played a key role in managing the demand, accessibility and inventory fluctuations of equipment, devices and other care items that supported our vaccination drives,” Villain said. Getting the mass vaccination sites up and running required installing ad hoc tech capabilities in parking lots, fields and other remote locations. Laura Wilt, Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Ochsner Health, led the team responsible for setting up remote tech services and wireless networks. The IT department was essential in checking in patients, scanning barcodes on labels, tracking how many patients received shots and keeping the sites functioning. It wasn’t easy. As Wilt puts it, the team “overcame unbelievable barriers” and had to “address whatever challenges arose and come up with solutions in real time.” At the Shrine on Airline in Metairie, for instance, they actually had AT&T run fiber optics out
to the site. “If somebody would’ve told me two years ago we would be giving shots through somebody’s car window, I would have said you’re insane,” Dr. Cazabon quipped. Game day: Vax Fest Drive-through events—like Vax Fest, the first 24-hour vaccination festival at the Shrine on Airline on March 29— were typically staffed by about 150 doctors, nurses, administrators and volunteers on the ground. Long hours plus countless details to monitor, not to mention any bottlenecks or emergencies to deal with on the fly, made it a grueling task. While the Ochsner team ran a tight operation, they ensured there was excitement in the air. A diverse lineup of local musicians and DJs enticed patients to make advanced appointments. The festive ambiance had patients dancing in their cars as they awaited their shots. Some even had their dogs with them for added comfort. To manage all the moving parts, Kiana Terrell, the Clinic Operations Manager, had boots on the ground as early as 5 a.m. She began each morning by going over the day’s
objectives with all 150 of her staff and colleagues, megaphone in hand. “I think the type of teams that can pull this off usually consist of fearless people,” Terrell said. “We’re people who are just like, ‘Let’s get this done by any means necessary.’” Under the guidance of Terrell and the team, the vaccination process took a mere 22 minutes on average, from the time a patient was registered until their 15 minute post-vaccine waiting period was over. During the last week of March, the team coordinated multiple sites throughout Louisiana. Monitoring so many campuses in different geographies was no easy feat because there are “nuances by region,” Pevey explained. The Ochsner team forged ahead with characteristic dedication and grace—and the effort paid off: over the course of two days, shots were administered to over 20,000 patients. “I think that we demonstrated to ourselves, to our community, and to the state how dedicated and nimble we are as an organization,” Pevey said, adding that they proved they “could rally the resources and meet patients needs, wherever they were, in a coordinated statewide effort.”
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Th e t e a m ove r c a m e u n b e l i eva b l e b a r r i e r s , a n d h a d t o a d d r e s s w h a t eve r c h a l l e n g e s a r o s e a n d co m e u p with solutions in real time.
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– Laura Wilt Laura Wilt System Vice President & Chief Information Officer
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Our Donors: Funding Cutting-Edge COVID-19 Research By Kirby Kelly
The early days of the COVID-19 Response Research Fund was allowed them to reach more pandemic were defined by the only way to do this at speed people, therefore producing more unknowns. To combat the novel and scale.” accurate data.” coronavirus, medical researchers The goal was to determine The resulting literature from the mobilized to find answers to seroprevalence—the true number studies was published in the journal urgent questions about the rapid of infections, not just those Clinical Microbiology and Infection spread of the virus. tested—across the racially and and syndicated by the CDC. The One was Amy Feehan, PhD, ethnically vibrant fabric of the study concluded that infection a Clinical Research Scientist Gulf South. rates and risk of fatality varied at Ochsner Medical Center. In The research team used geosignificantly based on zip code, mid-2020, she race and ethnicity. COVID-19 DONATIONS BY THE NUMBERS As some of the orchestrated two COVID-19 first studies of their donors provided food for front-line workers prevalence kind, these findings studies in New helped shape the Orleans and scope of COVID-19 donors provided PPE and other equipment Baton Rouge. The research as medical first was entirely professionals funded by the navigated unknown donors gave to the generosity of territory last year. Pandemic Response Fund in 2020-21 Ochsner donors “The Pandemic and the Pandemic Response Research Response Research Fund, which fenced Google Ads and online Fund really was instrumental for was dedicated to enabling critical sign-up portals to target applicants us—Ochsner was able to take research on the novel virus. “Most within city limits. action significantly faster than researchers had to apply for “We tested 3,000 people over traditional funding,” said Dr. government grants, which take the course of six days in New Feehan. “The money was so key months to approve—and we knew Orleans,” said Dr. Feehan. At the in getting free viral and antibody we needed to move quickly,” time, testing was scarce, but testing to patients, and data to Dr. Feehan said. “The Pandemic Ochsner’s satellite testing facilities Ochsner and public health officials.”
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“We created, and continue to maintain, a strong support network amongst each other not only as leaders but as individuals,” said Villain. “While we perform at the highest level, it is often easy to forget we are also humans who may have mastered internalizing the impact on self. Part of our success at Ochsner is our ability to lean on each other and recognize the role that the human element plays in our personal and professional
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outlooks. We have navigated through a succession of challenges with our collective expertise, but also with the knowledge that we are each other’s best resources and enablers.” Uplifting the whole community As demand for the shot waned amid vaccine hesitancy and other factors, the Ochsner team augmented their strategy to reach patients in
underserved areas by engaging trusted community leaders. “For example, at some point, we really doubled down on outreach to the Hispanic churches in the community,” Dr. Cazabon said. “We found a lot of people that weren’t necessarily signing up through our portal would show up because they saw us there. And so we had days that were bigger than expected because of the walk-ups.” (continued on next page)
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I think the type of teams that can pull this off usually co n s i s t o f fe a r l e s s p e o p l e .
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– Kiana Terrell Kiana Terrell Clinic Operations Manager, COVID Vaccine and Testing
Although the battle against COVID-19 is far from over, the team’s efforts are in service of an even greater purpose: to elevate the quality of healthcare for all Louisiana residents. “We call it 40 by 30,” Dr. Cazabon said. “Right now, Louisiana is ranked 49th or 50th nationally in quality of healthcare in a community. And we’re always at the bottom. Our hope is to get up to number 40 by 2030.” One of the best parts of the effort? Watching face-to-face care— in real time. “Some of those days when we had the big drives, you’d bump into people
you hadn’t seen in forever because their work is behind a computer,” Dr. Cazabon added. “It was nice to have the employee group be able to see care in action, to be a part of it.” “It was truly about setting titles aside with a common goal of taking care of those who needed us the most,” Villain said. “It didn’t matter who it was, but no one’s sphere of influence was too small or too big to jump into the fray.” Despite fluctuating demand, the vaccine journey is ongoing as younger children become eligible for the vaccine, and some patients receive third-dose booster shots. The
team continues to provide vaccines to patients in Louisiana and beyond, thanks in part to mobile clinics and vaccination sites at airports, malls, and other locations. Through it all the team carries on with compassion. “Their commitment to removing barriers and improving accessibility to community members has been remarkable to watch,” Pevey said. “I am so proud of their passion, their daily efforts to make the difficult seem easy, and their ‘yes’ attitude in response to anything asked of them. They are all leaders in their own way, and heroes in the community.”
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I f s o m e b o d y wo u l d ’ ve t o l d m e t wo ye a r s a g o we wo u l d b e giving shots through somebody’s c a r w i n d ow , I wo u l d h a ve s a i d yo u ’ r e i n s a n e .
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– Dr. Pedro Cazabon, MD
Pedro Cazabon, MD System Service Line Leader, Primary Care
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St. Tammany Cancer Center – A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center Treating the whole body and the entire community By Alizah Salario | Photos by Stephen Legendre
When St. Tammany Cancer Center – A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center opened its doors to patients on June 14, 2021, it solidified a significant cancer care milestone years in the making. Jointly operated by Ochsner Health and St. Tammany Health System, the $50 million, 3-floor, 75,000-square-foot facility doubled the size of the area’s previous cancer treatment center. The new facility, which is located on the Ochsner Health Center - Covington campus, features a multidisciplinary clinic space where a skilled team of experts take a collaborative approach to cancer care. Oncologists, oncology nurses, clinicians and support specialists are all dedicated to treating the whole person, guiding patients and their families through their complex cancer journeys. Along with this multidisciplinary approach to care, the new center is home to the latest technology in cancer care treatment. This
includes the cancer center’s linear accelerator equipped with Vision RT, which provides the most accurate targeting of radiation beams that account for a patient’s breathing and changing movements while undergoing radiation. Through collaboration and cutting-edge technology, Ochsner Health and St. Tammany Health System are providing expert care to patients on the Northshore. A holistic approach to cancer care The state-of-the-art facility also offers integrative oncology services and comprehensive symptom management, including physical therapy, yoga, acupuncture, 47 private and semi-private infusion bays and the technology-driven Ochsner Health O Bar, where cancer patients can get help with apps and digital medical equipment. For the broader
community, the center’s presence is groundbreaking. It also provides access to the largest clinical trials network in Louisiana, including more than 160 total cancer clinical trials. This means cancer patients will be able to stay close to home for novel therapies. Today, Ochsner serves more than 34,000 cancer patients annually, and has 5-year cancer survival rates that consistently exceed national averages. At St. Tammany Cancer Center – A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center, even more local individuals have access to the world-class, patient-centered cancer care they deserve—right in their community. The unparalleled facility is poised to provide superior care to even more oncology patients, further proof that Ochsner’s commitment to innovation and holistic health is what sets it apart.
St. Tammany Cancer Center – A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center (left) is home is home to the latest technology in cancer treatment, including a linear accelerator (above) that can accurately target radiation beams.
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Bridging the Digital Divide How Ochsner is taking fundraising events online — and increasing their reach By Alizah Salario | Photos by Stephen Legendre
Since the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe, intimate celebrations have taken on a new form as technology bridged the divide between people who were unable to be in the same room together. But this shift presented a unique challenge for Ochsner’s philanthropy department, which typically puts on the ritz for two annual fundraisers: the Moonlight & Miracles Gala benefiting Ochsner’s oncology patients and their families, and Colors of the Mind, which supports the Ochsner Neuroscience Institute.
The pivot from in-person gatherings to a virtual format didn’t alter the spirit of these special events—or the commitment of Ochsner’s longtime philanthropic partners, who remained dedicated sponsors despite trading lively dinner tables for computer screens. “While the type of event changed, the needs of Ochsner’s patients did not. We are committed to supporting patients through their cancer journey, and this event is one of many ways Genentech can help,” said Christy Gernard, healthcare
director for Louisiana and Mississippi at Genentech, a biotech company advancing cancer biology, cancer immunology and oncology drug discovery and a 2020 and 2021 Moonlight & Miracles and Colors of the Mind sponsor. “Helping Ochsner and ensuring that they had the ability to continue their mission was critically important to us. We prioritized it. We’ve been supporters for a long time, and we wanted to be there for them, and for their patients who obviously rely on them,” said Warren Murrell, CEO of
Sponsors of the 2020 Moonlight & Miracles Gala raffled fabulous prizes, including a Mercedes-Benz. Participants wore masks and social distanced to keep attendees safe.
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“Ochsner put on a very local but a very high-value production,” added Murrell. Ochsner applied this same spirit of innovation to Moonlight & Miracles, broadcast on Fox 8 from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome to raise funds for the Ochsner Cancer Institute. “The philanthropy team was in constant communication with us as things were changing,” Gernard said. “Their unwavering determination to make this event successful via a virtual platform was remarkable. It speaks to their commitment to people living with cancer.”
Though primarily a virtual event, the 2020 Colors of the Mind soiree retained its vibrant spirit.
Peoples Health and 2020 and 2021 Moonlight & Miracles sponsor. So how exactly did Ochsner’s philanthropy team do it? Communication, creativity and a little New Orleans flavor helped make the annual fundraisers incredible nights to remember. The virtual pivot: raffles, celebrities and online auctions For Moonlight & Miracles, the Fox 8 News Channel and the New Orleans Saints worked to replicate the pageantry of past festivities while bringing the event into the digital realm. The virtual gala included a telethon, online auctions, local celebrities such as Mark Romig, stadium announcer for the New Orleans Saints, and Mrs. Gayle Benson, the 2020 Moonlight & Miracles Chair, and a performance from the Bucktown All-Stars brass band. The event also featured Warner L. Thomas, President and CEO of Ochsner Health,
and Robert Hart, MD, Chief Medical Officer & Executive Vice President at Ochsner. “Just the simple fact that they could pull it off was amazing,” Murrell said. “They were able to harness the technology that we were used to at the time, and they found an audience that was very receptive.” For the Colors of the Mind soirée, Ochsner’s philanthropy team worked with Ray B. Photography to produce the event, with Tray the Violinist providing entertainment and Fox 8 sports reporter Garland Gillen emceeing the festivities. As the only neuroscience institute of its kind in the Gulf South to be nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for ten years in a row, the funds raised from Colors of the Mind will benefit clinicians, researchers, and educators at the Ochsner Neuroscience Institute, supporting their mission in offering advanced specialty care and lifesaving procedures.
The future of fundraisers Although the virtual format has its drawbacks, it also provides benefits that in-person events lack. Virtual events have the potential “to reach such a broader audience,” noted Murrell, adding that an online format can reach individuals who wouldn’t come to an event, but would be supportive of the cause. As more people grow accustomed to virtual events, Murrell predicts that other organizations will be adaptable. By eliminating the need to be physically present at one locale, philanthropic organizations can connect to more like-minded people with similar goals. Ultimately, donors remained committed not because of the glitz and glamour of an event, but the importance of a worthy cause. “Ochsner handled the transition with ease as they are accustomed to thinking outside of the box,” Gernard said. “They made the best of a difficult situation, and were still able to raise funds for their Cancer Institute.” Murrell shared a similar sentiment: Ochsner “deserves kudos for their ability to be adaptive and respond in such a pressure-packed time.”
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Healing and Hope After Hurricane Ida The Gulf South is nothing if not resilient. When Hurricane Ida hit on August 29, Ochsner Health was well-prepared to make it through the storm, facilitating transports of 300 patients to over 30 facilities across Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi — all in the same day. The Flight Care team worked around the clock, transporting Ochsner patients that included laboring mothers, trauma and cardiac patients, newborns with congenital heart defects, and premature babies to safety. Ochsner employees donated time and resources, sending toiletries, clothing, cleaning products, and other supplies to community members in need. On September 3, the staff teamed up with Franklin Avenue Baptist Church to give out much-needed supplies, and on September 18, the HR team helped feed staff and first responders at Chabert Medical Center. Countless projects have taken place as employees continue to rally around their colleagues and communities in need. Here are some of the heroes who made it happen.
Ochsner team at OMC Jefferson Highway comes together to prepare for the storm
After giving birth to son Maxwell on August 28, new mom Molly Patty enjoys her own birthday surprise on August 29 f rom her nursing team and Ochsner Baptist CEO Beth Walker
Photos courtesy of Ochsner Marketing and Communications
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Fall 2021
Dedicated Ochsner LSU Health employees load trucks full of supplies to be transported to Ochsner’s Chabert Medical Center
On August 31, the Ochsner Flight Care team performed 11 transports to hospitals across Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi, a record in the 20-plus year history of Ochsner Flight Care
Ochsner Health team members give out food, water, cleaning supplies, masks and COVID-19 vaccines at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church on September 18
The Ochsner Medical Center New Orleans PICU team worked relentlessly to keep kids safe and protected
The Ochsner Baton Rouge team worked to get facilities up and running in the aftermath of the storm
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Presented by
November 7, 2021 Caesars Superdome
ochsner.org/moonlight Presented by
January 8, 2022 Four Seasons New Orleans
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