3 minute read
In Brief: Supporting Our Communities
In Brief: Supporting All Our Communities
From promoting childhood literacy to providing on-the-ground care in Haiti, your generosity offers help to traditionally under-served communities.
By George Menz
Reach Out and Read
Slidell Pediatrics patient Gabriel-Isaiah Jones smiling after receiving a book at his visit.
Photo: Laura Place, MD
There’s nothing like the magic a child experiences when they pick up a book. In addition to broadening children’s horizons and sparking their imagination, reading and literacy can significantly impact health outcomes. Reach Out and Read is a national program that partners with pediatricians to promote literacy. Participating pediatricians provide parents of young patients with a free book, encouraging families to read together. This does more than improve a child’s literacy: it also helps pediatricians track patients’ development and support them through potential delays. All Ochsner Health pediatric sites sites now participate in Reach Out and Read. We’ve given out over 9,000 books to our patients thanks to your donations.
Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana
Trained staff at the Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana safely pasteurizing and testing donated breast milk.
Photo: Harley Ginsberg, MD
Nursing is an essential part of early childcare, with breast milk helping to promote healthy physical and cognitive development. To ensure that all babies have access to this essential resource, the Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana processes, stores and distributes milk to babies in need. Since 2018, the Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana at Ochsner Baptist has received over 2,600 gallons of donated milk and distributed over 1,400 gallons. Breast milk has been distributed to 70% of all NICU patients and 148 outpatients. The donor-supported fund provides resources for this vital mission and helps protect the health of infants across Louisiana.
Haitian Relief Fund
Haiti’s 2021 earthquake, combined with ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, has created significant public health challenges for the country. Through our partnership with the Foundation de Dr. Yvens Laborde de la Sante et l’Aide Humanitarian en Haiti, Ochsner Health provides free medicines and healthcare, earning Ochsner recognition from the Haitian Ministry of Health. “We were able to provide COVID testing kits and supplies and support local vaccination programs with our local volunteer staff on the ground,” said Yvens Laborde, MD, Medical Director of Public Health and Global Health Education at Ochsner and Assistant Professor of Medicine and Course Director, Medicine in Society - Haiti. “We continue to support our partners on the ground to provide lifesaving care and transport in medical emergencies. The needs are great, but we make the most of every donation.”
Yvens Laborde, MD, outside a clinic where the Ochsner Health team and a staff of local volunteers were able to provide COVID testing kits and support vaccination programs.
Photos courtesy of Yvens Laborde, MD
Ochsner Resource Groups
Diversity, equity and inclusion have always been a part of who we are at Ochsner Health. Our 10 voluntary and employee-led resource groups represent key interests across our organization. Here are the latest events and funds raised to support the Ochsner community at large:
African Americans Building and Leading Equality (ABLE) provided scholarship funds to the NORD Back-to-School Supplies Giveaway event and resources to members who experienced personal hardships.
Asian American Innovation Movement (AAIM) covered the scholarship costs for three Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students to attend summer camps hosted by STEM NOLA, covering topics like coding, robotics, chemistry, biology and environmental science.
Women Empowering Women (WoW) contributed to a wellness fair and the Dress for Success program.
Resourceful Experienced Team Rises at Ochsner (RETRO) participated in the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
Exceptional Abilities (EA) participated in the National Alliance for Mental Illness Walk.
People, Resources, Inclusiveness, Diversity and Education (PRIDE) sponsored an Ochsner student scholarship.
All Ochsner Resource Groups contributed toward the funding of ten Northshore Robotics Student Scholarships.
