A Message from North Oaks Health System President & CEO
Happy New Year! I am excited to share this issue of North Oaks CommUnity newsletter with you – full of stories that reflect our mission to improve lives.
Our blueprint for providing exceptional care is woven throughout every story shared, highlighting our deep commitment to exceeding your healthcare needs.
Over the past fiscal year, we have made significant strides in building a stronger, more connected future for healthcare on the Northshore, with more to come. The “Annual Report to the Community” to the right of this column displays our progress made in terms of services, infrastructure, workforce and relationships.
With the construction of our new Clinic Building and the renovation of our Outpatient Rehabilitation Services Center heading toward summer completion, we are not just building structures. We are engineering better care options and enhanced health outcomes for you and your loved ones – like Jacob Drago, whose story you will find on page 6.
While these physical upgrades are vital, it’s the compassionate, skilled professionals at the heart of our organization who are truly driving our service evolution.
To this point, we recently acquired North Oaks Pediatric Clinic and officially welcomed their staff and patients into our health system family, as detailed on page 10. For decades, our organizations have shared a commitment to caring for our community’s smallest and most vulnerable patients, and now, we look forward to working together in new ways.
Above all, our goal is for you to experience the peace of mind that comes from knowing your care is in the hands of dedicated, compassionate and expert professionals who live and work where you do. You can trust our family to put you and your family’s health first every time, every touch.
Sincerely,
Michele Kidd Sutton, FACHE President & CEO
July 2023 - June 2024
in Fiscal Year 2024, which brings us to more than 280 skilled physicians in 38 specialties and subspecialties of medicine.
2,723
31 New Physicians Hired Dedicated Team Members
10,496 Selfless Volunteers
Building Our future
The five-story, 95,809-square-foot North Oaks Clinic Building II (NOCB II) began construction in late 2023. It represents a nearly $50 million community investment in design, construction, equipment, furniture and fixture costs to increase space for providers and services, while ensuring there’s room to grow for future needs. Upon completion in 2025, the building will encompass 12 clinics with 115 patient examination rooms, 32 infusion bays and 13 nurses stations. A coffee shop and an exterior canopy joining NOCB I to NOCB II are among the new amenities.
The MA-to-LPN Bridge graduated 23 Licensed Practical Nurses from the pilot program in 2023. Aimed at elevating current medical assistants to higher certifications, the 12-month accelerated LPN curricula are significant milestones for North Oaks Heath System’s workforce development initiative.
In January 2024, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education approved the initial accreditation for the first Internal Medicine Residency Program at North Oaks. Following a rigorous selection process, seven medical students from four regional medical schools joined the inaugural class of Internal Medicine residents in July.
Score Big with Healthy Snack
Tips for the Big Game
You’ve just started your New Year’s resolutions. Love it! If you’re a sports fan gearing up to watch the big game with family and friends, you may be wondering how you can hurdle those irresistible tailgate party snacks. As your healthcare team, North Oaks is here to champion your goals when it comes to a healthier you.
Sub in the veggies.
For all your dips and other appetizers, try subbing chips for some fresh vegetables. Vegetables are full of fiber to help fill you up, and are low in calories! Veggies like carrots, bell pepper slices, cucumber or celery are great for dipping. If tortilla chips are a must, check out the healthier tortilla chip brands available.
Skip the dip.
Shy away from creamy, white dips that are full of fats and salt. If made fresh, it’s easier to control the salt content. Salsa made from tomatoes, onions, cilantro and lime is an option. So is hummus or guacamole. Avocados provide heart-healthy fats, not only making it creamy and smooth but also filling.
Lean into protein.
Burgers are sports staples so use lean ground beef or, better yet, lean ground turkey. Coming in a close second for tailgaters are chicken wings. Instead of frying them, bake or grill them and put the sauces on the side. When it comes to cold cuts, limit ham and salami because they often have high levels of sodium.
Guacamole
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
• 3 scallions or red onion, minced (about ¼ cup)
• ¼ jalapeño, minced
• 2 avocados, peeled
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (juice of ½ a lime)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 pinch of sea salt
Water is #1 in the playbook of health, and there are ways to make water tasty. Try adding fresh fruit, like berries and citrus. Remember, for alcoholic beverages, the recommendation is no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two for men. Moderation is key!
Directions
1. In a medium bowl, combine the garlic, scallions or red onion, and jalapeños.
2. Add avocado and mash using the back of a fork.
3. Gently stir in lime juice.
4. Finish with cilantro and sea salt.
Resolution Reboot: Pump Up Your Health in 2025
A new year brings the feeling of a new beginning for many. With the best of intentions, the resolutions to lose weight, reduce stress, and exercise are often at the top of that list. While easier said than done, keep in mind that progress is progress, no matter how small. In the end, what really matters is that creating a better version of yourself is a journey, not a race. Right?
Eat smart. Keep it simple.
• Eat balanced meals. They keep you fuller longer, making it more likely you’ll stick to your goals and and less likely you’ll graze for mindless snacks in between meals.
• Eat consistently throughout the day. Add some healthy fuel to your tank every four to five hours to curtail hunger and boost energy.
• Ditch the all-or-nothing mindset. Don’t have “cheat days.” Instead, find creative ways to incorporate foods you love, like chicken tenders or mac ‘n’ cheese, into your routine meals.
• Make at least one meal a day a healthy plate. Aim to fill half your plate with fruits and non-starchy vegetables.
• Fill up on fiber. It feeds gut microbiomes and provides micronutrients like potassium and vitamins A and K.
• Watch out for “added” sugars. Look for lower-sugar or zero-sugar options. Aim for less than 10% of total daily calories when it comes to “added” sugars.
Be consistent. Just do more.
• Walk at least 7,000+ steps each day. While any walking is better than none, this sweet spot lowers mortality and improves heart health.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Every little bit adds up. Sometimes the simplest acts can have the greatest impact.
• Stand for at least 10 minutes every hour. Standing activates muscles, helps lower sugar levels, improves circulation, and benefits the brain and heart.
• Get at least seven hours of sleep. For better sleep, step away from screen time at least 30 minutes before bed. The last thing you need to do before bed is stimulate your brain with information.
• Do light/moderate exercises for 20-30 minutes, three times per week. If you don’t have the time, do five, 10 or 15 minutes here and there over the course of the day. Doing something is better than doing nothing.
• Get in the sun for 20 minutes a day. Little doses of sun can uplift your mood, relieve stress and boost vitamin D which aids bone health.
Jacob’s “Not-Too-Cool” Yule
No Place Like the ER for the Holidays
Early Christmas morning in 2023, 75-year-old Jacob Drago woke up about 5 am with a leg cramp; he got up to walk it off, lost his balance, fell and suffered a broken hip. And just like that, his happy holidays with his wife of 52 years, his three children and his three grandchildren turned into a not-so-jolly trip to the emergency room. Since moving to Ponchatoula from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, Jacob had always thought highly of North Oaks, but he never imagined that he’d be spending Christmas Day getting to know these dedicated, selfless professionals firsthand.
“From the moment I arrived at the emergency room, I was met with compassion and expertise,” Jacob said. “Everything moved so quickly, and by 10 am I was in surgery.”
“They told me Dr. Lands was available to do my hip surgery, and that was all I needed to hear. I had the utmost confidence in him and the North Oaks team because, earlier that year, Dr. Lands had done surgery on a close friend of mine, and I had heard fantastic things about him as a surgeon.”
– Jacob Drago, North Oaks Patient
Vince Lands, MD, an Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in orthopedic trauma and total joint replacement, performed an open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF) procedure to repair Jacob’s severely broken hip. With open reduction (accessing the bones through an incision), the broken bones are repositioned and put back into proper alignment during surgery.
“Internal fixation refers to physically reconnecting your bones, which can involve special screws, plates, rods, wires or nails placed inside the bones to fix them in the correct place. This prevents the bones from healing abnormally,”
– Dr. Vince Lands, Orthopedic Surgeon
While it was not a picture-perfect Christmas, Jacob’s family managed to exchange gifts in his room following the surgery and muster up a little bit of the holiday spirit. Considering how the day had started, the outlook for recovery was positive and that’s what he focused on. With his no-time-like-thepresent attitude, that same afternoon he was ready to jump right into physical therapy, saying, “When something like this happens, fight through it. Don’t give up.”
When Physical Therapist Kaelyn Storr walked into the hospital room for Jacob’s physical therapy evaluation, she could see he was ready to get up and show her what he could do.
“He was full of smiles and energy, and incredibly motivated. With his family cheering him on, I knew immediately Mr. Drago would go far in his recovery.”
– Kaelyn Storr,
Physical Therapist
Internal fixation example
The day after Christmas, Jacob was already home, using a walker but in good spirits. Starting outpatient physical therapy two weeks later, Physical Therapist Adam Waller with North Oaks Outpatient Rehabilitation Services, recalls that it was a pleasure to be a part of Jacob’s recovery and was impressed by his progress. Jacob had been active, exercising an hour every day prior to his fall and blessed with a can-do outlook.
During his six weeks of rehabilitation, Jacob progressed from his walker to a cane. It was a major turning point for him physically and mentally. He was beginning to feel his sense of self returning. Today, he’s shed the cane and is back to his daily exercise routine.
“He possesses a grateful, positive attitude that is contagious. He cherishes the value and opportunity that each day presents. His dedication to the rehabilitation process, as well as his healthy, active lifestyle prior to the surgery, helped him in his recovery beyond my expectations.”
– Adam Waller, Physical Therapist
“Even on one of the year’s most important holidays, it was the grace of God, my skilled surgeon and my good health that brought me through it,” says Jacob. “ And I’m proud to say I never missed Sunday Mass through it all.”
“I put my trust in North Oaks and I’m extremely grateful. They went above and beyond to ensure I
received
the best possible care.”
– Jacob Drago, North Oaks Patient
Prepare yourself for life’s unexpected moments
Urgent Care vs. Emergency Care: When to use which service?
Urgent Care
When your healthcare needs can’t wait, choose North Oaks Urgent Care and get the expert medical attention you need for your illness or minor injury. Just walk in, or reserve your spot online at one of our locations in Hammond, Ponchatoula or Walker – open every day from 7 am to 8 pm.
Emergency Care (ER)
Many of our nurse practitioners are certified in Emergency Medicine, enabling them to see more complex cases than most urgent care providers. They also work in North Oaks’ Emergency Department alongside emergency medicine physicians, where they are cross-trained to ensure they are equipped to identify and care for various urgent medical conditions.
From infants to adults, our urgent care team provides care for people of all ages, with advanced X-ray and other diagnostic services to rapidly assess your condition on-site. Our urgent care providers also have access to advanced specialty care for any medical need throughout North Oaks Health System.
In addition, all of our locations are equipped to provide COVID-19 testing (PCR and rapid tests) and COVID-19 vaccinations.
We accept most major insurance plans, Medicare and Medicaid. Self-pay options also are available.
Hammond
Ponchatoula
Walker
Which service should I use?
URGENT CARE OR EMERGENCY CARE (ER)
Urgent Care Emergency Care (ER)
Know when to go to the Emergency Department for medical care and when you should be treated at an Urgent Care clinic.
• Abscesses without fever
• Allergic reaction (nonlife threatening)
• Allergies
• Back, neck and joint pain
• Bladder problems
• Cold and flu symptoms
• Cough and congestion
• COVID-19 without complications
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing (asthma)
• Ear infection
• Fever
• Headache or migraine
• Insect bites or stings
• Simple lacerations
• Minor broken bones
• Minor burns
• Minor object removal (e.g., fish hooks, splinters)
• Minor wounds
• Nausea
• Pink eye
• Sinus pain
• Skin rash without fever
• Sore throat
• Sprains and strains
• Upper respiratory infection
• Urinary tract infections
• Vomiting
• Worker’s compensation injury treatment
North Oaks Urgent Care is not equipped to take care of life-threatening emergencies. Do not waste time if you are experiencing a life-threatening condition. Call 9-1-1, or go to the nearest ER. Note: This is not an exhaustive list of conditions that may require emergency care.
• Abscesses with fever
• Chest pain or a squeezing sensation in chest
• Fever of 103ºF or higher; fever with a rash
• Flu with complications that include breathing difficulties, high fever and unresponsiveness
• Foreign object stuck in the body
• Head trauma
• High blood sugar
• Intense headache
• Large lacerations
• Loss of consciousness
• Mental health issues
• Open wounds
• Poisoning or suspected overdose of medication(s)
• Seizure
• Serious burn(s)
• Severe abdominal pain
• Severe broken bones
• Severe physical pain
• Shortness of breath
• Sudden change in vision
• Sudden paralysis or unexplained slurred speech
• Traumatic events such as motor vehicle collision, gunshot wound, stab/ puncture injury, fall from significant height.
• Uncontrollable bleeding
Creating Better Continuity of Care
North Oaks Pediatric Clinic Joins North Oaks Health System Family
For more than four decades, North Oaks Pediatric Clinic (NOPC) has been a long-trusted leader in Pediatric and Adolescent Care for the Northshore community. That’s why North Oaks Health System is excited to announce that NOPC is now officially a part of the NOHS family of providers with the acquisition of North Oaks Pediatric Clinic.
“North Oaks Pediatric Clinic and North Oaks Health System have proudly collaborated for 46 years, demonstrating a deep-rooted, shared commitment to the health and well-being of Northshore children and families. This move solidifies North Oaks Pediatric Clinic’s long-standing relationship with North Oaks Health System, the leading healthcare provider in our community.”
– Elizabeth H. Fritz, MD, North Oaks Pediatric Clinic Pediatrician
A.
Enhancing the continuity of care, NOPC patient information and medical records will be streamlined into North Oaks’ myCHART, centralizing and consolidating medical records into one convenient portal. Powered by Epic – the leader in electronic health record technology – one patient information system will make it easier for NOPC providers to coordinate care, track medical history and provide comprehensive treatment for patients throughout the North Oaks Health System. Parents of patients will benefit from online access to their children’s medical records with enhanced features like the ability to schedule and manage appointments, communicate with providers, access test results and request prescription refills.
“One of the key considerations in our decision was the continuity of care this acquisition will provide our patients. Families can continue to see the providers they know and trust, and accepted insurance plans and locations will remain the same.”
– Samuel A. Hickey Jr., MD, North Oaks Pediatric Clinic Pediatrician
“We are excited to welcome the staff and patients of North Oaks Pediatric Clinic into our family. This acquisition represents an exciting phase of growth for both organizations and our community, expanding our services and enhancing the care we provide.”
– Michele Kidd Sutton, FACHE, North Oaks Health System President & CEO
Dr. Samuel
Hickey Jr.
Dr. Elizabeth H. Fritz
Free Health Screenings with North Oaks Mobile Care
Screening Day
Serving as an extension of North Oaks Health System, Mobile Care brings quality healthcare services where they are needed most – through easy and convenient community visits.
Free screenings include:
• Blood pressure checks
• Diabetes risk assessments
• Stroke risk assessments
Primary Care Day
• Medication management
• Preventive health education
Bridging the gap between patients and providers, Mobile Care offers primary care appointments and support services in outlying locations to facilitate care access.
LEARN MORE >> North Oaks Mobile Care
www.northoaks.org/mobilecare • (985) 230-2273
North Oaks Mobile Care and its partners are driving change in access to healthcare. Our clinic-on-wheels is trekking across Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes to offer primary care services, complimentary health screenings and education at a community center near you. Scan the QR code to find out more about where, when and how to access mobile care in your community.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION & SUPPORT FOR HEALTHY LIFESTYLES
American Heart Association CPR & First Aid Classes
• Basic Life Support/Healthcare Provider CPR: $50
• CPR for Friends & Family
• Instructor-led Skills Session for Online Courses by Appointment
Family & Children Classes
• Breastfeeding
• Car Seat Fitting Station | By Appointment
• Prenatal Class: Labor & Delivery
• Prenatal Class: Labor Comfort & Support
• Prenatal Class: Newborn Care, Postpartum Recovery & Tour
Tobacco Cessation Education Meetings
Tobacco Cessation Seminars provide you with the knowledge, tools and support you need to successfully quit smoking and improve your health.
LEARN MORE >>
Diabetes Education Meetings
• Diabetes Superfoods • Jan. 15
• Heart Health • Feb. 14
• Food Swaps • March 19
• Stress Management • April 16
• Dining Out with Diabetes • May 14
Support Group Meetings
• Amputee Support Group*
• Grief Support Group^
• Stroke Support Group of Hammond*
• Traumatic Brain Injury/Spinal Cord Injury Support Group*
• Cancer Support Group+
• Caregiver Support Group+
*Meets in the North Oaks Rehabilitation Hospital Classroom
Community Education Calendar • www.northoaks.org/calendar
^Meets at North Oaks Hospice +In-person and virtual options
Scan the QR code to view scheduled upcoming classes and details. Unless otherwise noted, classes and meetings are free and most are held in the E. Brent Dufreche Conference Center, located within North Oaks Diagnostic Center at 15837 Paul Vega, MD, Dr. in Hammond.
North Oaks Health System
15790 Paul Vega, MD, Drive • Hammond, LA 70403
Phone: (985) 230-6647 • Fax: (985) 230-1038 nohs@northoaks.org • Public Information Line: (985) 230-INFO northoaks.org
CommUnity is printed and published by North Oaks Health System with the leadership of the North Oaks Board of Commissioners.
The information in this newsletter is meant to complement the advice of your healthcare providers, not to replace it. Before making any major changes in your medications, diet or exercise, talk to your healthcare provider.
The North Oaks Health System mission is to improve lives, every time, every touch.
northoaks.org
