Good to Know

Willis-Knighton Medical Center has been named one of the best hospitals in the United States by Newsweek magazine in its annual “World’s Best Hospitals” rankings. There are more than 6,000 hospitals in the United States There are more than 6,000 hospitals in the United States and Willis-Knighton was among 420 of those hospitals that earned the distinction. Hospitals in 27 countries were that earned the distinction. Hospitals in 27 countries were ranked. Willis-Knighton is the only North Louisiana hospital to make the Newsweek list. Hospitals were selected pital to make the Newsweek list. Hospitals were selected for the list based on recommendations from physicians for the list based on recommendations from physicians and health care professionals; patient survey results; and key medical performance indicators, including data on key medical performance indicators, including data on quality of care, hygiene measures and patient safety. on June 16 at Shriner Hospital. Registration is open at tion and developmental issues. Presenting Sponsor is Wil lis-Knighton Health System in partnership with Shriner Hospital, Northwest Louisiana Pediatric Society, and Pe diatric Rheumatologists of the South. Hosted by Children rant on Hollywood Avenue, has announced that she’s running for city council in District B. The District B worked in legislative affairs for the Shreveport Cham ber of Commerce and the Caddo Parish Administrative

Many internationally recognized experts in the field of pediatric rheumatology will participate in the Cassidy Conference on June 16 at Shriner Hospital. Registration is open at childrenandarthritis.org/CassidyConference. Early diagnosis is essential to avoid joint and internal organ destruction and developmental issues. Presenting Sponsor is Willis-Knighton Health System in partnership with Shriner Hospital, Northwest Louisiana Pediatric Society, and Pediatric Rheumatologists of the South. Hosted by Children and Arthritis, Inc.

Mavice Hughes-Thigpen, owner of Eddie’s Restaurant on Hollywood Avenue, has announced that she’s running for city council in District B. The District B seat is currently held by LeVette Fuller and includes Highland and the South Highlands areas. Thigpen has worked in legislative affairs for the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and the Caddo Parish Administrative office and worked for twenty years in the federal court system.

A record-breaking crowd flocked to this year’s Taco A record-breaking crowd flocked to this year’s Taco Wars to celebrate Latino culture and food at the region’s Wars to celebrate Latino culture and food at the region’s only taco and salsa festival and competition. The festival, only taco and salsa festival and competition. The festival, presented by Modelo, Jose Cuervo, Maestro Dobel and presented by Modelo, Jose Cuervo, Maestro Dobel and the Prize Foundation, returned for 2022 on April 30 out-the Prize Foundation, returned for 2022 on April 30 outside the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium to much fan-side the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium to much fanfare of taco lovers throughout the area and generated over fare of taco lovers throughout the area and generated over $60,000 in revenue for these local businesses. $60,000 in revenue for these local businesses.

The festival featured ten local taquerias, selling tacos The festival featured ten local taquerias, selling tacos to the public and battling it out for the coveted Golden to the public and battling it out for the coveted Golden Taco (Best Taco) and Golden Molcajete (Best Salsa). Par-Taco (Best Taco) and Golden Molcajete (Best Salsa). Participating taquerías included El Novillo Carniceria, La ticipating taquerías included El Novillo Carniceria, La Potranca, Mi Mercadito, Mi Mera Latin Cuisine, Taqueria Potranca, Mi Mercadito, Mi Mera Latin Cuisine, Taqueria El Eden, Taqueria La Reyna del Sur, Taqueria Mi Palmar, El Eden, Taqueria La Reyna del Sur, Taqueria Mi Palmar, Taqueria San Miguel, Ramirez Mexican Restaurant and Taqueria San Miguel, Ramirez Mexican Restaurant and Uneeda Taco. A panel of celebrity taco aficionados visited Uneeda Taco. A panel of celebrity taco aficionados visited each of taquerias tents, tasted all of the submitted tacos each of taquerias tents, tasted all of the submitted tacos and after careful deliberation, declared and after careful deliberation, declared El Novillo Car-El Novillo Carniceria niceria the winner of the Best Taco and the $1000 cash the winner of the Best Taco and the $1000 cash prize. prize. Ramirez Mexican Restaurant Ramirez Mexican Restaurant defended its 2019 defended its 2019 title and was again crowned best salsa by the audience and title and was again crowned best salsa by the audience and awarded a $500 cash prize. awarded a $500 cash prize.

LSUS Tennis’ Angela Basto has been named RRAC Second Team All-Conference, and Sophia de Michele was named to the All-Tournament Team. Basto has had one of the best seasons a Pilot has ever had on the court, resulting in the first All-Conference selection in program history. Her play this season helped the Pilots receive votes in the NAIA National Poll for the first time in program history. Both Basto and de Michele will be back next season as the Pilots hope to build upon the success next season as the Pilots hope to build upon the success they had this season. in history with a concentration in political science in 2021. While attending LSUS, she interned at the museum. She worked at the Karpeles Museum in Shreveport before ac with the university to develop exhibits. She also will work

LSUS alumna Claudia Finley has been named operations manager at the

Claudia Finley LSUS Foundation Spring Street Museum. Finley earned a bachelor’s degree in history with a concentration in political science in 2021. While attending LSUS, she interned at the museum. She worked at the Karpeles Museum in Shreveport before accepting the job with the Spring Street Museum. Finley will be responsible for daily museum operations and will work with the university to develop exhibits. She also will work with LSUS students interning at the museum. She will also assist with special events planning, including on-site lectures and community programs.

Jazmin Jernigan, MBA, was recently selected as the new Director of Alumni Development at LSU Shreveport.

Along with over a decade of nonprofit board service and community volunteerism, Jernigan brings her knowledge of marketing and public relations to the Alumni office. She earned two degrees from LSU Shreveport: a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art with a concentration in Graphic Design and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing. She also served on the LSUS Alumni Board of Directors, most recently as the vice president.

As an alumna herself, Jernigan looks forward to serving the Shreveport community within her new role. “I’m ing the Shreveport community within her new role. “I’m so excited to start a new journey in a place that already feels like home,” she says. “The last few years have been feels like home,” she says. “The last few years have been full of growth—both professional and personal. I can’t full of growth—both professional and personal. I can’t wait to translate those hard-won lessons into meaning wait to translate those hard-won lessons into meaningful impact.” ful impact.” magazine. The list recognizes financial

Kevin Murphy and Timothy Cain, both Private Wealth Advisors with Ameriprise Financial in Shreveport, were named to the list of “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” published by Forbes magazine. The list recognizes financial advisors who have demonstrated high levels of ethical standards, professionalism, and success in the business.

Dana Fergins, Adjunct Professor at Southern University Shreveport, will be a conference presenter at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Develop-

Dana Fergins ment’s (NISOD) International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, to be held May 28-31 in Austin, Texas. Her presentation on Equity, Diversion, Inclusion, and Justice will have participants explore Growth Mindset Leadership for Equitable Education.