January Washington Parish Living

WINTER 2022-23

WASHINGTON Living PARISH

Hosts weight-loss challenge, boot camp to help with fitness

Council on Aging talks about Senior Citizen Health

Dr. K talks about your health being formed by your daily habits

OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS HOSPITAL

Looks back on the past year of 2022

HL Brownstone changing lifestyles since 2008

New Year New You

The New Year provides a time to reset Did you put better nutrition on your list of New Year’s resolutions? Or did you decide that 2023 was the year for better overall healthiness? You can achieve those goals. But you’ll want to set yourself up for success.

The problem is; most people have unrealistic expectations, they decide this is the year they’re going to change everything about their diet completely, and that’s just too hard to do. Willpower isn’t the issue. Willpower is about depriving yourself, and nobody gets excited about that. Besides, depriving yourself is depressing and leads to bingeing. Focus on the positives -- you feel better and have more energy when you eat healthily.

This is all especially hard when considering the region in which we live. With all of the great food our area offers, most of which is great to eat but not necessarily diet friendly, the struggle is real when trying to develop healthy lifestyle patterns.

For this edition of Washington Parrish Living, we talk to many healthcare providers from our community, offering great advice, tips, and tricks. We’ll dive into how we can have success in 2023 and beyond.

Chris spoke with fitness experts about developing a workout routine to fit anyone’s lifestyle while helping us achieve our goals. With the upcoming spring months ahead of us, it’s a great time to combine being active outside with eating healthier from the garden.

Tracy Sanford, DO, gives some fantastic tips about getting healthy and setting “SMART” goals. Our very own Chris Kinkaid speaks with Leona Magee, the Council on Aging Executive in Bogalusa. They discuss some great exercise tips for Active Seniors. Chris Kinkaid also speaks with Brandi Beaudette who hosts a weight loss challenge and boot camp. There are several other features that I know will be packed full of great advice for getting healthier in 2023.

We hope you enjoy the special edition of Washington Parrish Living as much as we enjoyed preparing it for you.

Kevin Warren is Regional Publisher at The Bogalusa Daily News. He can be reached at kevin.warren@picayuneitem.com.

On The Cover

Brandi Beaudette helps people stay healthy with her classes.

Getting in Shape

Bodybuilding pro helping people stay healthy, fit

Story by Chris Kinkaid • Photos submitted

International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation pro Brandi Beaudette hosts a weight loss challenge and boot camp.

Beaudette hosts the boot camp at Snap Fitness and the clinics usually start on the first Monday of every month and they go through the end of the month.

Beaudette said they usually have 8-10 people on average and the boot camp takes place every Monday and Wednesday.

The boot camp looks at changing body composition with an emphasis on fat loss.

“On average, I have clients lose between eight and 10 pounds in a month, but more importantly, they’re losing 4-percent body fat, which is a bigger deal,” Beaudette said.

Beaudette said they have weight resistance, cardo movement and lots of core exercises.

There is also an element of nutrition. Beaudette said they discuss nutrition and there’s homework to do.

She talked about the enjoyment of the boot camp.

“That’s my pride and joy,” Beaudette said. “That’s

LEFT — Group pictures of International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation pro Brandi Beaudette’s weight loss challenge (top), boot camp (bottom). ABOVE — Group picture of a boot camp class.

BEAUDETTE: Has hosted the weight loss challenge for 6 months

FROM PAGE 8

where I connect with my clients and learn how to help them.”

Beaudette has hosted the weight loss challenge for six months.

It is also a month long.

Beaudette said the big difference is that you’re provided with a meal plan. Weight loss is teaching you how to eat right.

She said they still workout and there is still an online element.

Beaudette said they go to a much deeper level to nutrition. If you don’t know much about nutrition, this is where you go.

Beaudette said the workouts are about the same. Boot camp and weight loss doesn’t matter your abilities. They can modify it for you.

She talked about the progress she has seen people.

“The sustainability in their weight loss seems to be higher,” Beaudette said. “People keep coming back month-after-month.”

Brandi Beaudette gives instruction to one of her classes.

Members of International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation pro Brandi Beaudette’s boot camp are pictured during a workout.

Pictured are members of International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation pro Brandi Beaudette’s weight loss challenge.

Participants at Council on Aging go through exercises to help keep them healthy.

Council on aging talks healthy lifestyle for senior citizens

By Chris Kinkaid The Daily News

Having a healthy lifestyle for is important for everybody and Executive of the Council on Aging in Bogalusa Leona Magee talked about different ways to help keep senior citizens healthy. “They have to get out and be around people their own age and not be home isolated,” Magee said. “Being around people their own age helps keep their mind good and keeps them up. When they come into our center, we have four in the parish, it gives them something to do. They do bingo, crafts and we have lunch. But it’s not about the lunch, it’s just that they have somebody to talk to. We do blood pressure checks.”

Magee said that when they get to the Council on Aging, they have people waiting on them to get here.

“When we get here, they’re ready for us to get here,” Magee said. “I tell the staff all the time that they must like the way we do things here otherwise they wouldn’t come. We make them feel comfortable and we show them a lot of love. My staff is one of the best around. I give them an A+. I’m not just saying that, I’ve got a great staff. Almost everybody has been here for more than five years.”

Hot lunches are served at 11 a.m. each day Monday through Friday.

Magee said they have different people come in like home health. She said they will do bingo with them and bring the people gifts for bingo and some will bring them snacks.

Magee said that if a farmer gets a good crop, they’ll bring that in for the seniors and that gets them excited.

On the medical side, Magee said that checking vital signs and getting flu shots

are important. She said they have talks about diabetes and the importance of them taking their medicine.

Magee said that exercise is important and that they do that once a week.

She said that Sheila Seal from Our Lady of Angels Hospital talks to the seniors once a month and it’s a different topic each time.

Council on Aging offers programs with homemaker services. Some that are not able to get to the center are called twice a week. They also offer transportation for their needs. They offer a caregiver sup-

port program.

Caregiver support program offers support services caring for a relative or a loved one. It includes information and assistance and in-home respite. They offer home delivered meals. They serve five nutrition balanced meals. That’s for people who are homebound and low income and are the most socially needy. They also offer medic alert.

The Council on Aging has four locations in Washington Parish. Besides Bogalusa, they also have one in Angie, Franklinton and Pine.

Council on Aging has four locations in Washington Parish.

Our Lady of the Lake reviews 2022

By Angela Lambert Director of Marketing and Communications Our Lady of the

Angels Hospital

One local healthcare ministry made great strides over the past 12 months. Our Lady of the Angels Health began serving the people of Washington Parish and the surrounding areas in March of 2014, when they took over operations of the LSU Bogalusa Medical Center. Since that time, they have invested millions of dollars in physical and organizational improvements, provided lifesaving care for tens of thousands of our friends and family members, and expanded care by adding dozens of new providers and additional service lines. 2022 was no exception. Here is a look back at some of their most memorable moments and most powerful accomplishments.

Rise Up Program

Our Lady of the Angels shared Rachel Hernandez’s triumphant victory over addiction and the birth of her beautiful daughter, thanks to the support of the hospital’s comprehensive Rise Up Program for pregnant moms suffering from substance use disorder.

Patsy Welch, Our Lady of the Angels labor and delivery nurse director, and Dr. Ronak Shah, Obstetrics and Gynecology, listened to address all of Rachel’s concerns and provided her with a safe delivery. Her story was featured on WWL-TV and Nola.com. The Louisiana Hospital Association also published a video in their Improving Care in Our Communities series about Rachel’s journey. If you or someone you love is pregnant and battling substance abuse disorder, call (985) 730-7001 to schedule a visit and connect with their network of collaborative care and support.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Our Lady of the Angels strives daily to remove inequality and injustice from healthcare and to broaden the circle of belonging for everyone across the communities they serve. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) are part of the lifeblood of their healthcare ministry. In January of 2022, they established a DEI strategy and formed a team member DEI Council.

We Listen. We Heal.

Our lady of the Angels believes in the power of listening. The way they learn about how you see the world – about your priorities, concerns, hopes, losses – is through listening to you, not their stethoscope. It’s through building respect that gives them the privilege to not just hear about your back - but your backstory. To not only have you drive Dad to his appointment but to tell them who Dad is. They have the tools, but you have the tales. They determined to personalize your healthcare experience for the purpose of wellness. For more information, visit fmolhs.org/welistenweheal.

Through All Maternity

Our Lady of the Angels delivered 250 babies last year. They also launched an ongoing labor and delivery education campaign – Through All Maternity. They are proud to be one of only a handful of Louisiana birthing hospitals to earn the Birth Ready+ distinction and the Guided Infant Feeding Techniques (Gift®) certification from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.

The labor and delivery team invites you to take a virtual maternity tour to learn more about planning your birthing experience. Visit oloah.org or call (985) 730-6744.

Spirit Week and Nurses Week

They celebrated Spirit Week and Nurses Week with their team. As part of their Nurses’ Week celebration, they gave out their annual Nurse Excellence Awards. Congratulations to the 2022 recipients. Nurse Leader of the Year — Patsy Welch, RN

Nurse Excellence, Hospital Setting —

Pictured is the front of Our Lady of the Angels Hospital.

Kelsi Jones was the Rookie of the Year.

HOSPITAL: A look back at the year 2022

FROM PAGE 19

Mayra Rocha, RN

Nurse Excellence, Clinic Setting — Jason Pounds, LPN

Non-traditional Nurse of the Year — Janice Augustine, RN

Rookie of the Year — Kelsi Jones, RN

Friend of Nursing — Dale Borde

Hospital Day at the Capitol

Our Lady of the Angels and the LSU Rural Family Medicine Residency Program were proud to again participate in Hospital Day at the Capitol, hosted by the Louisiana Hospital Association. Residents, Dr. Saadia Ibrahim and Dr. Antonio Waring, joined Toni Stevens, business development officer, Savannah Saltaformaggio, business development specialist, and Angela Lambert, director of marketing and communications, to showcase their rural family medicine program. Together, they are improving the health of this community.

DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses

Our Lady of the Angels presented their very first DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses to Patsy Welch, labor and delivery nurse director.

The DAISY Award, established in 1999, was created in memory of J. Patrick Barnes to honor the super-human work nurses

do for patients and families every day. Barnes passed away after an eight-week hospital stay, and his family was moved to action by the amazing care he received throughout that time.

Impact Training

The hospital graduated their first Impact Training Class last year. This comprehensive workforce development program empowers frontline team members to help improve patient care and take an active role in their own career development. Congratulations to Alyssa LeBlanc, Deidra Robinson, Jemeka Johnson, Tammy Taylor, Jessika Clark, Tonelle Gibson, Lisa Wise, Kellie Hebert and Laura Rankins on their achievement.

Walk-in Clinic

Our Lady of the Angels celebrated the grand opening of its Bogalusa walk-in clinic — located at 106 Avenue B. This innovative primary care clinic offers 7 day-a-week urgent care access without the urgent care co-pay.

Graduate Medical Education

The hospital celebrated the 2022 LSU Rural Family Medicine Residency graduates and welcomed the newest class of resi-

SEE HOSPITAL, PAGE 21

HOSPITAL: Had a successful 2022

FROM

dent physicians. The graduate medical education program at Our Lady of the Angels is one of a handful of rural programs in the country that provides full-scope family medicine in a setting that is exclusively rural and community-based. This stellar program turns out six highly trained rural physicians each year.

5 Stars

Our Lady of the Angels once again earned the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 5 Star Rating for Patient Experience. This honor is based on HCAHPS survey responses. HCAHPS scores are the national standard for patient satisfaction measurement.

Readers’ Choice Recognitions

Our Lady of the Angels was proud to receive several readers’ choice awards from The Bogalusa Daily News and EDGE of the Lake Magazine readers.

Northshore District Nurses Association Honors

Seven Our Lady of the Angels nurses received 2022 Northshore District Nurses Association honors, and the hospital

couldn’t be prouder.

Sherri Bullock, RN, Medicine Unit, Sonya Flynn, RN, Behavioral Health Unit, Kelsi Jones, RN, ICU, Myra Rocha, RN, Emergency Department and Mary Beth Thorman, RN, Medicine Unit, each received 2022 Nurse Excellence Awards.

Jane Donovan, RN, Behavioral Health Nurse Director, was recognized for 50+ years of nursing practice, and Christy Bickham, LPN, Medicine Unit, received a scholarship toward her continued education as she pursues her RN degree.

Nightingale Award Nominations

Three Our Lady of the Angels nurses were nominated for 2022 Louisiana Nurses Foundation Nightingale Awards.

Janice Augustine, RN – Louisiana State Nurses Association (LSNA) Hall of Fame

Kelsi Jones, RN – Rookie of the Year

Patsy Welch, RN – Registered Nurse of the Year

New Leadership

SEE HOSPITAL, PAGE 22

HOSPITAL: Hospital thanks Washington Parish community

FROM PAGE 21

year. Ralph was named VP, Chief Operating Officer. Since 2014, Ralph has served their ministry as VP, Chief Nursing Officer. A 25-year nursing veteran, he has spent 13 of those years serving within the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System.

Tren Garbo was named VP, Chief Nursing Officer. Tren has served at the facility since August 2002.

Celebrating Servant Hearts

Our Lady of the Angels celebrated it’s 2022 Franciscan Service Award recipients at a special banquet, held at Money Hill Country Club. These team members were nominated by their peers for their relentless expression of the hospital’s mission and core values – Service, Reverence and Love for All of Life, Joyfulness of Spirit, Humility and Justice. Congratulations to Leigh Ann Graham, Wound Care, Robert Owens, Dietary, Loretta Robertson, ICU, Brandy Vince, Ambulatory Surgery, and Patti Wascom, Gastroenterology.

Expanding Care

With the addition of these new physicians and advanced practice providers, Our Lady of the Angels expanded access to family medicine and cardiology care and added outpatient psychiatry and dermatology last year.

• Susette Dean, NP, Family Medicine

• Lauren Groves, MD, Psychiatry

• Samantha Karlin, MD, Dermatology

• Kimberly Salsman, NP, Family Medicine

• Lori Quinn-Tate, CNS, Cardiology

Our Lady of the Angels Health thanks the Washington Parish community for trusting them with their healthcare needs.

About Our Lady of the Angels Health

Our Lady of the Angels Health in Bogalusa, Louisiana, has a team of more than 500 employees committed to building a healthier community through excellence in patient care and community education. With a full-service acute care hospital, more than a dozen primary and specialty clinics, extended primary care and pediatric hours, and a team of more than 300 credentialed providers, Our Lady of the Angels provides comprehensive Catholic healthcare services for the people of Washington Parish and the surrounding areas. Our Lady of the Angels is a teaching site for graduate medical education, in partnership with LSU Health—operating the only rurally located rural family medicine residency program in Louisiana and one of only 55 in the nation. Our Lady of the Angels is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and is driven by its mission to serve all of God’s people, especially those most in need. For more information, visit www.oloah.org.

Impact training graduates

Health is at all of our fingertips

Your health is formed by your daily habits

By Keisha D. Harvey, MD President, Founder, Medical Director Dr. K’s Family Medicine

Health is at all of our fingertips. Your overall health is not about the medications or supplements that you take. Your health is formed by your daily habits. If you want to be healthy and live a long time you must take these principles into consideration. First you must learn how to reduce your stress. Stress causes inflammation and long term inflammation leads to disease. You must learn how to sleep well. A good night’s sleep improves performance, boosts your mood, aids in weight loss, and has so many additional health benefits. You must exercise at least 30 minutes per day and five times

Keisha D. Harvey, MD

per week to fight disease. Exercise helps with erectile dysfunction, dysmenor-

rhea, improves sleep and has similar benefits to sleep. We must choose better foods and reduce fast food consumption. The father of medicine, Hippocrates (student of Imhotep), stated “Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine.” He believed that he was talking to the doctors of today, however very few people have the nutrition discussion with their physicians. With the shift of people desiring more natural remedies, it is my hope that people will desire more natural foods. Your food is your medicine. Lastly, for good health, a person must have a safe community with livable conditions. The community must entail a since of connectedness where people are invested in the prosperity of one another.

H.L. Brownstone has provided opportunites for life-changing styles for 15 years

HL Brownstone is locally owned by Larrilyn and Chris Hickman.

We have been altering birthday suits since 2008. This year marks 15 years of providing opportunities for lifestyle changes.

In 2007, I foresaw a facility that offers 24-hour access fitness. My passion for success and strong faith has allowed me to press through seemingly impossible conditions. The initials HL now symbolize me, Happy Larrilyn. Brownstone reflects the image of total body toning.

Thousands of pounds and inches have been lost throughout the years, but it is the gains that touch me the most. The friendships made, fellowship we share, and being a part of one big family are the greatest blessings.

As an ASFA Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Group Fitness Trainer, Stretch Coach, ACE Weight Management Specialist and my many fitness class certifications, has allowed me to ed-

ucate my clients. Being a part of someone’s health and fitness journey is such an honor. Training someone to push beyond their wildest expectations, reaching their goals and dreams, and stepping out of their comfort zone is powerful! Transformations come in many forms. It’s not always about weightloss. Its about feeling good. When you feel good, the look will come. I believe in turning obstacles into opportunities.

Along with a 24-hour access gym, many other services are offered such as Tanning, Hair Salon, Revive Nutrition, Personal Training, Group Training, Fitness Programs, Mile Makers Club, Finish Line Friends Club, Fitness Classes, and more. We thank you for continued support and the confidence you have placed with us.

Look out 2023! We have exciting services, classes, and programs coming soon!

ALWAYS BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF YOU! WE DO!

Changing eating habits key to healthy life changes

By Rob Sigler

Retired family medicine doctor Tracy Sanford, DO, has advised and helped thousands of patients over her 25 year career become more health conscience.

In trying to make healthy changes, she said “bite size” changes tend to work best.

“When folks know they’re eating poorly, drinking sweets and not exercising, they are rarely going to change all of those things at once,” Dr. Sanford said. “Exercise, while important for fitness, accounts for very little of our weight loss. That is typically one of the later changes that I suggest. Liquid calories are probably the most damaging part of an unhealthy lifestyle and is always the first thing that I ask people to change.

“In Mississippi, sweet tea is a big culprit. Once that is eliminated, weight loss is much easier.

She suggests breaking up an exercise regimen throughout the day.

“In the past we’d tell people to exercise for 30-60 minutes at a time,” said Dr. Sanford. “Now we’ve learned that six, five-minute bursts a day works as well as 30 straight minutes. It just has to be brisk enough that it raises the heart rate.”

The south Mississippi physician said a key to making any type of change is making goals that are measurable and attainable. A SMART Goal Setting Plan is a great idea. The acronym stands for “Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Timely”.

Specific: What do I really want to precisely achieve?

Measurable: How will you know when you’ve achieved it?

Attainable: Is it really attainable in this time frame?

Relevant: Do I truly desire this?

Timely: When do I want to achieve it? Write down a date.

“Saying ‘I’ll exercise more’ isn’t helpful because you can’t really measure that and if you can’t measure it, you never really have the satisfaction of achieving a goal,” she said. “Instead, ‘I’ll exercise for two fiveminute bursts this week’ is better.” She also recommends keeping a writ-

ten exercise journal and trying to match or beat the previous week, which keeps people progressing.

Although not a nutritionist, Dr. Sanford does recommend certain exercises and diet.

“With regard to exercise, yoga is one of the best studied and always shows improved quality of life scores and increased length of life,” Dr. Sanford said. “Yoga is good for all ages and all abilities, whereas most types of exercises don’t have as much flexibility in who can use it safely.”

In regard to diet, she tends to suggest a “moderate” diet rather than a specific diet. “Avoiding any liquid calories five days a week as the first dietary change, always. After that, I suggest stopping second servings of anything and then eventually working with patients on serving size,” said Dr. Sanford.

She said generally the food issues (other than liquid calories) are more an issue of quantity than anything else.

“People don’t tend to radically change their diet staples unless there has been a serious issue, such as a heart attack, stroke, or cancer,” Dr. Sanford said. “Even in that circumstance, most radical changes don’t stick for very long.

“I tell patients that lifestyle modification doesn’t fail to work, it fails to stick.”

She said studies strongly recommend a Mediterranean diet as likely the most healthy.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Living the Mediterranean way means building meals around vegetables, beans and whole grains. Eating fish at least twice a week. Using olive oil instead of butter in preparing food. Serving fresh fruit for dessert. And also being physically active.

As far as seeking a doctor’s advice prior to making life changes, Dr. Sanford said it’s probably unnecessary for those under 50 with no prior health issues. But it’s always a good idea to routinely see your physician.

“If people are wanting to make serious life changes, having a set of lab and a visit with their doc is a good thing,” said Dr. Sanford. “Most people walking around have no idea if they are hypertensive or diabetic. Either of those things can be problematic during transitions.

“Treating hypertension drops heart attack and stroke risk dramatically and in the short term, exercise raises blood pressure which can trigger serious problems,” she said. “Of course healthy changes can improve those risks, but only if you live long enough to make improvement.”

The other benefit to a pre-change visit is to have an accurate “before” value on weight, sugar, and lipids.

“Again, to be meaningful, goals need to be measurable and if you don’t know where you started, improvement can’t be measured,” said Dr. Sanford. She also said don’t be discouraged if you don’t see major changes right away. “I generally try to get my patients to hear that baby steps are fine, even tiny changes in the right direction add up over time,” said Dr. Sanford. “Journal your SMART goals so that you know how far you’ve come.”

She also gets a sense of satisfaction when observing the progress patients make in lifestyle changes.

“I can’t tell you how happy it makes me when I see patients making these steps,” Dr. Sanford said. “When I have someone truly working to improve, I have them come in monthly for the encouragement and the accountability.”

Tracy Sanford

Bogalusa Mayor, City Council Members, City Prosecutor take oath of office

Inauguration was held on Jan. 7

Photos by Chris Kinkaid, Sharon Hartzog

Elected officials are shown above and Bogalusa’s band is shown below at the Jan. 7 inauguration.

Members of the city council and the city prosecutor take their oaths at the top left and bottom left. A keyboard player and a drummer play during the Jan. 7 inauguration.

There were plenty of events going on during Christmas

Local high school sports teams competed