Ochsner Spring 2019

Ochsner

SPRING 2019

SERVE, HEAL , LEAD, EDUCATE AND INNOVATE

Nurses of the NICU When families are faced with the stresses of having a child in the NICU, Ochsner nurses restore hope and positivity. (page 8)

INSIDE:

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When nurses must give so much of themselves on a daily basis, self care can often be overlooked.

A new program is helping to change that. (page 14) While Michelle DeFrisco has always had a strong bond with her young patients, her own cancer battle brought them closer than ever before. (page 6) Patty Hanson dedicated her life to spreading joy and compassion however she could, and a scholarship in her name continues that legacy today. (page 4) Nurse Kim Guidry knows that it’s not enough to care for just a patient’s physical health — which is why she cares for their minds and spirits as well. (page 11)

WELCOME

D E A R F R I E N D S, I’m quite excited about this issue of Ochsner magazine.

As some of you may know, National Nurses Week happens in May. It is a time for us to celebrate our nurses and recognize the exceptional care they provide and the lasting impact they can have on so many patients and families. I may be biased, but I think we have some of the best nurses in the region at Ochsner.

In these pages, you can read just a few of the countless inspirational stories of nurses at Ochsner. They are guiding new parents through some of the scariest days of their lives, helping patients see beyond a diagnosis, and sharing their own patient experiences as they help comfort others. They are new nurses and long-time career nurses who come from every walk of life. Some realized at a very young age that they wanted to pursue this line of work, while others met a nurse during a personal health encounter and then realized, “I want to help people too.”

We all have different reasons for working in healthcare, but at the end of the day, it’s about taking care of people and changing and saving lives.

Nursing is a demanding but incredibly rewarding profession. Each day,

FOUNDATION BOARD PICTURED BELOW Standing from Left: Marcel Garsaud Frank Dudenheffer Tommy Fonseca Cliffe Laborde Greg Flores Sarah Freeman Carey Dr. Joseph Dalovisio Pamela Steeg John Kennedy Wilmer ‘Bill’ Freiberg Todd Johnson John Hairston Seated from Left: Tommy Coleman Karen Stall

our nurses work their hardest to put patients first, and their empathetic,

Miles Clements, Chair

compassionate care creates lifelong connections and gives patients strength

Calvin Fayard

in vulnerable times. Nurses are often the first healthcare professionals a

Warner Thomas

patient meets and often the last ones they see in their final moments. Nurses

Chadwick Landry

are there for all the ups and downs in between. They truly make a difference

Norris Williams

in the lives of all of us.

I hope you enjoy reading these stories of nurses throughout Ochsner. Thank

Not Pictured:

you to each one of our Ochsner nurses and to all the nurses everywhere who

Gayle Benson

dedicate their lives to ensuring the health and safety of others. We could not

Robert Boh

do it without you.

Paul Flower Leon Giorgio

Warner L. Thomas President & CEO, Ochsner Health System

Desiree Harrison Tara Hernandez Michael Maenza Catherine Burns Tremaine

Photo by Stephen Legendre 2

Spring 2019

IN THIS ISSUE 4

Ochsner’s Angel 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 and Chief Financial Off icer

Patty Hanson made a tremendous impact on patients during her lifetime, and now a scholarship at Chamberlain Nursing School continues her legacy.

Giving the Care you Wish to Receive

6

Pete November Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Off icer

Michelle Defrisco’s own bat tle with cancer has brought her closer than ever to her patients .

Leonardo Seoane, MD, FACP Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Off icer

The Heart of the Hospital

Tracey Schiro Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Off icer

Ochsner

David Carmouche, MD Senior Vice President and President of Ochsner Health Network and Executive Director of Ochsner Accountable Care Network

share their NICU stories and reflect on the lasting connections they made in the toughest of times.

Mark Muller Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development

Nursing the Body, Mind & Spirit

David M. Gaines Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Off icer Michelle Dodenhoff Senior Vice President and Chief Development Off icer Jennifer Bollinger Senior Vice President of Consumer Strategy

nurses

and

patients

12

Glimpses

Lea Witkowski-Purl Editor

RENAISSANCE PUBLISHING

Taking Care of Our Own

Melissa Landry Editor

Topher Balfer Custom Publishing Editor Ali Sullivan Art Director

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Nurse Kim Guidry believes that the best care doesn’t just treat the body: it should also soothe the patient’s heart and soul.

Grateful patients and dedicated members of the community help Ochsner provide high-quality care through events and celebrations of Ochsner and the generosity of its donors.

OCHSNER MAGAZINE

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Care for the Caregiver initiatives at Ochsner remind nurses that to truly heal others , they m us t also heal themselves .

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The Great 100

To support philanthropy at Ochsner, please visit:

giving.ochsner.org WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU! PLEASE SEND COMMENTS TO PHILANTHROPY@ OCHSNER.ORG.

Honoring the Ochsner nurses included in the 2018 G reat 100 Nurses lis t .

On the Cover: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse practitioner, Bridgitte Boehm.

Read her story on page 8.

Photo by Daymon Gardner

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Ochsner ’s Angel

By Jordan LaHaye

Patty Hanson’s legacy endures in a new generation of nurses

W

hen Patty Hanson was diagnosed with cancer in 2010, her husband John suggested that she write her memoir. “She had such a wonderful life,” he said.

“She was probably one of the greatest nurses of the 20th century.”

Such a weighty compliment might seem like flattery coming from a devoted husband of 47 years, but a look at Patty’s history in the medical field reveals it’s far from unwarranted.

After attending Touro Infirmary’s Nursing Program in the late 1950s on a full scholarship, her very first assignment was as head nurse at the hospital’s first intensive care unit. Most of her patients there suffered from heart problems, and her ensuing interest in cardiology led her to pursue a training program with the world-famous Dr. Michael DeBakey in Houston — under whom she was assigned both the Duke of Windsor and the King of Greece as patients.

After learning all she could, she returned home to New Orleans. “That’s where I met her,” said John. In the years following, Patty began her lifelong career at Ochsner Health Center.

Scholarship recipients Princess Jones (left) and Jada Davis (right) with John Hanson at the portrait unveiling and scholarship announcement for the Patty Hanson Nursing Excellence Fund held at Chamberlain Nursing School.

Photo by Stephen Legendre.

“That’s when she got involved in dialysis,” he said. “She turned that department upside down.”

Patty dedicated herself to making the experience of dialysis

families, communities, and nations.” The program is unique in its

easier and more manageable for her patients, writing training

special focus on student care and dedication to fostering a sup-

manuals teaching them to do the procedures at home. After

portive educational environment for aspiring caregivers. In 2018,

becoming a recognized authority on the subject — even once

the University opened its New Orleans campus, 20th in the United

receiving a standing ovation at a convention of nephrologists

States, in partnership with Ochsner Health System.

in the Superdome — she moved on to wound care.

“She went to work with that,” said John. “Really, she generated new activity and knowledge in every field she put her fingers in. And she did all those things unseen — not for

That Patty Hanson’s legacy should be associated with the continued education and care of new nurses seemed only fitting, according to her husband and others who knew her.

“In her youth, she always thought she’d be a teacher,” said

recognition, just for the patients. She was such an example of

John. “And in reality, she wound up doing quite a bit of teaching

what it is to be patient-centered. To her, the patient was her

through patient education and through her work in Ochsner’s

father, her mother, her brother. That was her nature.”

education department, training the new nurses.”

When Patty died in 2014, John felt that the best way to honor

In 2018, with the first round of students, the fund was re-

her memory was to support nurses at Ochsner, and he cre-

dedicated as a scholarship for Chamberlain nursing students.

ated the Patty Hanson Nursing Excellence Fund.

President of the Chamberlain Campus at Ochsner Jennifer Couvil-

“We started with the idea of giving nurses money to advance

lon, RN–BC, PhD, CNE said that the fund is an incredibly impact-

their studies and their research, but then we learned about

ful way to ensure that students have the opportunity to focus on

Ochsner’s educational alliance agreement with Chamberlain

studies and practice to become excellent nurses.

Nursing School,” he said.

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verse healthcare professionals who advance the health of people,

The first two recipients of the Patty Hanson Scholarship,

Chamberlain University is a nationally accredited nursing pro-

Princess Jones and Jada Davis, were both employees at Och-

gram whose mission is to “educate, empower, and embolden di-

sner, whose supervisors saw in them a spark reminiscent of

Spring 2019

the award’s namesake — a sense of excellence and selflessness when it came to patient care.

Princess, who is a Patient Care Technician in the neurosurgical unit at Ochsner, said that she had always held an interest in science and medicine, but her interest piqued when she recently began caring for her ill father. She had been working at Ochsner for a few years when she learned about Chamberlain and decided to apply.

After being accepted, and a few months into her first semester, Princess received an email informing her that she had been selected as a recipient of the Patty Hanson Nursing Excellence Fund Scholarship. Because selections for the scholarship are based on nominations from superiors, rather than by application—Princess had no idea that she was even up for the award.

“When I found out I was nominated, I was so shocked,” Princess said. “I couldn’t believe that someone was noticing the things I was doing.”

Jada described a similar reaction to learning of her own nomination by her manager.

“I felt really special, like I was being seen, and that

Nasogastric tube lessons at Chamberlain Nursing School. Photo Courtesy of Chamberlain University College of Nursing.

this path was meant for me,” she said.

Jada is a Patient Access Representative for Therapy

thing else entirely. The Cancer Journey: Hope and Inspiration, published

and Wellness at Ochsner. At the recommendation of

posthumously by her husband, is Patty’s guidebook for patients suffering

her supervisor, she had attended an open house about

from cancer, filled with practical advice and encouraging words.

Chamberlain, and when she left, she said it just felt right. “I had been praying about it, and it felt like things were just starting to fall into place, and that was all confirmed with the reception of this scholarship.”

Both women have been able to continue working for Ochsner part-time while they pursue their studies at Chamberlain.

“This is what inspired her,” said John. “Finding ways to make everything less painful and easier for others.”

Today, her book is not only shared with patients throughout Ochsner’s hospital but has also been made a part of the Chamberlain Nursing Program curriculum, a standard for patient care.

“Patty Hanson is now literally and truly our campus angel,” said Jennifer.

In October 2018, a ceremony was held at Ochsner for the official dedication

“It’s intense,” said Princess. “But I’m loving it so far.

of the Patty Hanson Nursing Excellence Fund. Princess and Jada were both

The staff is incredibly encouraging, and it really feels

honored, and an official portrait of Patty was unveiled — to be displayed in

like we are all growing together.”

the College of Nursing’s library with a plaque naming the award recipients.

Jennifer said that this sentiment of support— of Ochsner nurses welcoming and putting their arms around new nursing students — is a large part of what the Patty Hanson Scholarships are about.

“What a culture change from years past, when the spirit of welcome involved ‘putting in one’s time,’

John said that he hopes that when new nursing students pass through the library amongst their studies, that they’ll stop and look at it.

“They’ll see her name, and the names of those nurses honored by the award, and they’ll be curious,” he said. “And then they’ll see her book. And maybe, that will impact them in some way — maybe they will try to emulate her, bringing in more excellence in nursing at Ochsner.”

before you were allowed to change your shift preference,” she said. “We are impacting culture and con-

I f yo u wo ul d l ike to sup p o r t t h e e d uca t io n of f uture n u r s es

necting ‘Chamberlain Care’ to the Ochsner culture of

t h ro ug h t h e P a t ty H a n so n N ur sin g Exce l l e n ce Fun d , p l e a s e

‘Care for the Caregiver.’”

v isit Ochsner.org/nursingexcellence o r co n ta c t A n n a

In her final years of life, when Patty sat down to write that memoir — it inevitably turned into some-

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Giving the Care you Wish to Receive

F

or more than 20 years, registered nurse Michelle Defrisco has worked in the

field of pediatric oncology at Ochsner, where she takes care of children as they face often-devastating battles with cancer. Over the years, she has become a master of compassion, sympathy and care — but it was her own battle with cancer that brought her closer to her young patients than ever before.

Michelle has always been a nurturing, maternal figure. Even in her youth, she took extra care of her younger siblings.

Working in pediatrics stood out as her calling from an early age.

“I always wanted to do something with kids,” she said. Channeling this passion, she went on to obtain her nursing degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now called the University of Louisiana - Lafayette).

But in February 2017, Michelle, who is also the mother to three teenagers, became an even more empathetic and understanding caregiver when she herself was diagnosed with breast cancer during a routine mammogram.

Her treatment over the next several months involved multiple surgeries, including a double mastectomy, and several rounds chemotherapy.

“It was very overwhelming at the beginning and kind of scary,” she said.

“I had a fear of the unknown. We are

Michelle Def risco

dealing with cancer, and we have patients that don’t make it. When you hear the words, ‘You have cancer,’ you think

When pediatric oncology nurse Michelle Def risco received her cancer diagnosis, she drew strength f rom her own young patients.

you’re going to leave your kids without a mother, and a husband without a wife and siblings without a sister.”

Her patients, with whom she often develops strong bonds, were saddened by the news of her

By Sarah Ravits | Photo by Cheryl Gerber

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Spring 2019

diagnosis. “It’s like I was a family

member,” she said. “They would get upset and start crying.” It was difficult to know that her own diagnosis was causing them sadness. “It was a very emotional time once patients started finding out. There were several times where I had to just stop talking and have my coworkers talk for me,” she said.

But after the first month or so, after the initial shock wore off, Michelle said she was “able to keep it together” due to a strong support system in her family, coworkers and patients.

Ultimately, she developed a positive attitude about the terrifying situation, particularly because she was able to draw extra strength and inspiration from the very children

“

I have kids that deal with

t h i s e v e r y d a y, a n d t h e y c o m e i n to do their treatments smiling, and it’s just another par t of their d a y. I w a n t e d t o h a v e t h a t s a m e attitude. “I can’t be down and depressed if I’m working with these kids.

she treats on a daily basis.

“I took the diagnosis to mean that my cancer journey won’t define me,” she said. “I have kids that deal with this every day, and they come in to do their treatments smiling, and it’s just another part of their day. I wanted to have that same attitude.”

“I can’t be down and depressed if I’m working with these

”

me — I had to learn to adjust to that, as well.”

Though she was familiar with many of the medications, she also knew very little about her specific type of cancer.

She now recognizes that she is one of the luckier cancer

kids,” she said. “I was kind of a role model to them. Here I am

survivors. The tumor was discovered in a relatively early

with no hair, they have no hair, and I know what it’s like to get

stage, and she is in her 40s with otherwise good health, so

the port out.”

she was able to pursue more aggressive treatments. She

She took minimal time off work during treatment and

went through four cycles of chemo every three weeks until

scheduled her chemotherapy around her work schedule,

September 2017. Now in remission, she still follows up with

often returning to the pediatric oncology unit just a day or

her oncologist, Dr. John Cole, every few months.

two later.

There were two leukemia patients being treated with

Throughout her treatment, she was determined not to let her diagnosis derail the rest of her life, and she persistently

chemotherapy at the same time as Michelle, so all three of

worked whenever she could, as much as she could. After all,

them experienced hair loss together. “We took a bald-headed

just as she needed the care and attention of her treatment

photo together, and then we took a photo six months later

team, the children in her unit needed her. For all her efforts,

when our hair started growing back,” she recalled.

Michelle’s fortitude during this ordeal was recognized by

In another instance, she bonded with a 6-year-old boy who was battling kidney cancer. “He called me my ‘scar buddy’,” she said, referring to the mark left behind from the port that sits under the skin to deliver the medicine via a catheter and needle.

the Ochsner community at the Moonlight & Miracles Gala in November 2018.

She said that both her peers at Ochsner and her young patients were instrumental in getting her through such a

Ever the kind to seek a silver lining, Michelle said her own

situation, and she came out on the other side stronger and with

journey of recovery from cancer gave her a new perspective

the wisdom to face any challenges that life may throw her way.

and outlook on her work with children.

“I was always empathetic and sympathetic, but now I can

“There will be rough times and bad days,” she said. “But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. You have to take

actually say I know what it feels like to have this done, so it

it one day at a time and count your blessings. You can

gave me that first-hand patient knowledge that I never would

eventually get over it and get through it.”

have had if I hadn’t been diagnosed,” she said.

The unique situation also came with another adjustment

I f yo u wo ul d l ike to sup p o r t re se a rc h , e d uca t i on

period, as the role reversal meant she had to receive medical

a n d p a t ie n t ca re in t h e f ie l d of P e d ia tr ic O n cology,

help, rather than give it.

p l e a se v isit Ochsner.org/pediatriccancer o r

“I’ve always been the caregiver and all of a sudden I became the patient,” she said. “People were taking care of

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The Heart of the Hospital

By Emily Andras | Photo by Daymon Gardner

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurses (left to right) Tessa Norris, RN, Emily Landry, NP, Brittany Keegan, RN and Bridgitte Boehm, NP

N ICU n u rs e s gi ve h ea l t h, h el p an d h ope wh en patien ts n eed it m o s t To Bridgitte Boehm, her job as a Neonatal Intensive Care nurse practitioner is more than a job. It’s an opportunity to be a voice for the voiceless.

“They can’t tell you they’re hurt. They can’t tell you what’s

someone else, said Bridgitte.

“I may not know these families at first, but if my family or I were ever in that position, I would want the same kind of care.

wrong,” she said. “Being that liaison — being able to give them

Everybody in that unit is family to each other, and we take

the right care and take care of them in their weakest state — is

care of our own.”

just something that’s so powerful to me.”

At Ochsner’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), nurses

The job can be a grind: long, often-emotional hours can easily leave a person worn out. But Bridgitte says that the staff in the

like Bridgitte spend their days and nights caring for some

NICU hold each other up: “Here, you don’t leave a man behind.

of the most fragile patients and their families. Thanks to a

If one of your team is suffering, then you’re all suffering. You’re

combination of donation-funded technological advances,

all in it together.” The shared load and team atmosphere keep

support networks and tight-knit teams, Ochsner’s NICU nurses

the staff afloat and enable them to provide the best care for

are able to provide families and babies alike with unwavering

NICU families, no matter the situation.

support during a difficult time.

The nurses, who often work grueling 12-hour shifts that keep them away from home and from their own families,

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find joy in providing care, love and support to the family of

Spring 2019

“I just recently got to spend a few hours with a little baby I admitted who passed just hours after birth — and my position as a NICU nurse practitioner meant that I got to baptize the

baby,” Bridgitte recalled. “I really got the chance to be there for

being there. They’d tell me every day, ‘You don’t have to kill

that baby and to spend time with that family. Being there for

yourself to be here every day. Take care of yourself. This can be

them in that moment of that grief is part of it, too.”

exhausting.’ You know, I’d be coming from Raceland every day

Ochsner’s NICU isn’t limited to immediate post-birth care.

— driving probably about an hour to get there, and then bad

They’re dedicated to total care of babies, from occupational

traffic when I left. So, they gave me the confidence to take time

therapy to speech therapy to physical therapy. It’s not

for myself and to take a day here and there and recuperate

something many people think about. Most families don’t

when I needed it.”

consider the NICU until the unexpected happens.

Bridgitte and the rest of the team at the NICU provide care, support and comfort to thousands of babies and families each year — these are the personal stories from three Ochsner NICU families.

Having a baby in a “hospital home” is never easy, regardless of how long or how short the stay. At first, Rachael thought of it as a tragedy, but she did find a silver lining.

“You have access to the best help anyone could offer, whether it be how to handle your baby or pumping/breastfeeding questions. I learned so much on how to handle my supply that

Rachael Marchand

maybe I wouldn’t have known if the NICU didn’t become part

Daughter Jillian, 55 days in NICU

of our lives,” she said.

Rachael Marchand was afraid when she was placed on hospital bed rest while she was pregnant with her first baby.

She grew more nervous when her obstetrician, Dr. Natasha Goss-Voisin at the Women’s Center in Raceland, and her maternal-fetal medicine doctor, Dr. Alfred Robichaux at

Rachael’s advice for new parents who find themselves unexpectedly in the NICU is to take it a day at a time.

“You have to approach your stay day by day. There is an end in sight, though it may seem like it’s an impossible road.”

Jillian’s road is now a bright one — she’s in occupational, speech

Oschner Baptist, made the decision to put her on steroid

and physical therapy with Ochsner to help her develop and hit

injections prior to delivery. But when the time came for her

her milestones, and recently she became a big sister to newborn

emergency C-section, she was confident that the Ochsner staff

Julia.

knew what was best for her and for her new baby girl, Jillian.

While Jillian was placed on a ventilator after birth, Rachael believes the injections may have been the reason why she only needed it for one day. She also credits her NICU nurses for

Lillian Boudreaux Sons, eight days and 28 days in NICU Lillian Boudreaux didn’t expect to be in the NICU once, much

being the support she needed to move through the onslaught

less twice — but her sons were both NICU babies, though they

of emotions that come with an unexpectedly early birth. She

had different experiences. Her first son’s stay was eight days

had an added personal connection: by sheer coincidence,

long; born at 36 weeks, he didn’t require oxygen or a feeding

one of the nurses there to help Rachael and Jillian was Hollie

tube. His doctors wanted to make sure that the baby, born

Leblanc Daigle, one of Rachael’s sorority sisters from LSU.

under four pounds, gained weight before going home.

“It was meant to be that she was there the night Jillian was born.

Her second stay in the NICU came three years later, in July

She and Thad Hicks, Jillian’s other primary nurse, were godsends

2018. Her second son was born at 32 weeks with far more

to us.” Thad’s sense of humor in particular helped endear him to

complications than his brother. The family’s second time

Rachael and her family, a trait she said was common in the NICU.

around was 28 days long, but familiar faces helped ease a

“Everything just clicked. We all got along so well, and we had such

harder, longer NICU visit.

good conversations — sometimes not even talking about Jillian,

“Allie Landry was our charge nurse for my first son, and when

talking about other things, which made life feel a little bit more

she found out we were in the hospital, she again took charge

normal. Honestly, I still miss them a lot.”

nurse for my second son for the daytime, so she stuck with us,”

Thad helped Rachael navigate her NICU challenges as well

she said. “Michelle McLean was his night charge nurse for the

as some more typical pregnancy challenges, like resolving

first few nights, and she was amazing. Every little milestone he

clogged ducts. Hollie, meanwhile, would wash Jillian’s clothes.

made, she took a picture for us and laminated it.

She also made sure to keep Rachael in the loop, texting her

“It was fun every day to go in his room and see a new little

with updates so she was connected to her daughter even when

decoration or something on his crib from her whenever she

she couldn’t physically be with her.

worked. I liked it because I felt like they knew him. It wasn’t a

“They worked really hard to make me comfortable with her

new nurse trying to figure him out.”

o c h s n e r. o rg

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allows, a preemie hat or onesie — because nobody’s prepared for a preemie, so you don’t have that kind of stuff. We like to include a receiving blanket for the mom and baby to cuddle with, or to drape over the isolette. We’ll include some gift cards for coffee, or food — and above all else, we like to put a note from a former NICU mom in there, just so new moms know they’re not alone in this.”

Mary also credits attentive nurses and Ochsner’s NICU camera technology, made possible through philanthropic donations, with helping her family during Luke’s 66day stay. Because children aren’t allowed in NICUs during cold and flu season (which begins October 1 and is also Luke’s birthday), Mary’s other children weren’t able to visit their new brother.

However, thanks to the NICU’s technology, Lillian wants to make sure new mothers know they don’t need to wear themselves out with worry; they can and should trust their nurses.

“I know it’s hard to do, but try not to stress. Put your faith in their hands,

her oldest son, who was eight at the time, could see his youngest brother through his mother’s iPhone.

because they are there for you. And they’re going to do as much as they can. I

“It was still really tough,” said Mary. “I

know you feel like it’s your baby, and you should be doing 100% for them, but

would go to the NICU after I dropped the

that’s what they’re there for,” she said.

older two at school, and then I would stay

“Whatever you need, they’re great. I can call them at 2 o’clock in the morning;

there basically the whole day until I had to

if I woke up to pump, I would call just to check on him. That that’s what the

go pick them up. Sometimes I was able to go

nurses are all there for, and they encourage it. And when they encourage it,

back at night, but it’s hard when you have

listen to them, believe them. They mean it, and they all become a part of you.”

two other kids.”

Lillian has another piece of advice for new moms: “I tell everybody if they’re having a baby, ‘Go to Ochsner Baptist.’ I say, ‘I’ve

Mary wants new mothers to know that it’s important to take care of themselves — and

done it twice.’”

to reach out for support when they need it.

Mary Olivo

not like herself.’ And I was just like, ‘Well,

Sons, Liam, 101 days in NICU; Luke, 66 days in NICU

yeah…I just had a baby three months early.’

“I had a friend who said, ‘Mary’s just

Mary Olivo knows the value of a personal touch during a difficult time.

I wasn’t going to just go back to be smiling

“When my middle son was born in October 2011, somebody, a friend of a friend

and happy like usual. I think there needs

that I’ve never met, delivered me a care package. I was just so touched by it, that

to be more awareness about ‘take care of

somebody I didn’t even know was thinking about me. From there, I knew that I

yourself.’ Don’t be afraid to reach out; you

wanted to do something for other people once my son was out of the NICU.”

need a social network, and you may even

After Liam completed his 101-day stay at the NICU, she remembered that feeling — and so began an operation that would lead to the creation and 501(c)

need some therapy or medication to cope with this, and that’s okay!”

(3) certification for the nonprofit Delivering Hope, a service that delivers care packages to NICU families across New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette. The

If you would like to support care in the

nonprofit’s board has seven members that all had premature babies, which has

NICU, please visit Ochsner.org/NICU

allowed them to make baskets that address NICU family needs on a personal level.

or cantact Lauren Phipps, Director

“We include a lot of things that we found were useful from our own NICU experiences,” said Mary. “Antibacterial gel, lotion, notepads, pens if the hospital

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Spring 2019

of Development at 504-897-5990 or lauren.phipps@ochsner.org.

Pictured: Kim Guidry, FNP-C and Shamita Shah, M.D.

By Fritz Esker | Photo by Cheryl Gerber

Crohn’s often strikes between the ages of 15 and 35, and many of Kim’s patients are college students. Some of these young men and women are away from home for the first time in their lives as they are hit with the stress and uncertainty of Crohn’s. They worry about whether or not they will make it through a class or exam without incident, and if they don’t have a car, they worry about who will take them to and from doctor’s appointments and colonoscopies. They worry about the embarrassment of sharing a bathroom with a roommate. Simple day-to-day tasks can become fraught with stress and fear.

As a result, Kim’s work with her patients is not

N u r s i n g t h e B o d y, M i n d & S p i r i t

limited to the physical. Many times, her patients are sad and anxious. Tears are common at first, she said, which is why she also serves as a counselor to her patients, supporting them emotion-

P

ally and referring them to therapy if needed. eople are often at their most vulnerable when visiting a hospital. Pain or ill-

“It’s a chronic disease,” Dr. Shah said. “It really

ness has disrupted their lives. They are simultaneously afraid of what’s caus-

affects people’s quality of life. That’s why that

ing the problem and hopeful that it can be resolved soon. Feeling anxiety in

extra time and that extra compassion matters.”

these situations is only human, which is why the work a nurse does is twofold: they must care for the patient’s ailments while also caring for the individual’s emotions.

The best nurses are able to meet both needs, and that is what nurse practitioner Kim Guidry does as part of Ochsner’s Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program.

Kim’s journey to nursing started in her early teens, when her beloved grandmother was diagnosed with colon cancer that metastasized to her liver. While her family banded together to help her grandmother as much as possible, her attention was drawn to the people who were helping her grandmother seemingly at all times: the nurses.

Dr. Shah has nothing but praise for Kim and her work with patients.

“Kim is one of the best nurses I’ve ever worked with,” Dr. Shah said. “She is instrumental in allowing us to see more patients and in allowing us to provide optimal care for our patients.”

Not only does Kim get to help people, but her work with Ochsner’s Inflammatory Bowel

“The nurses were the ones who were always there,” Kim said.

Disease Program allows her to build meaning-

After witnessing the dedication and compassion of her grandmother’s caregivers,

ful relationships with her patients. When they

Kim decided to follow in their footsteps. She went to nursing school and became a

first visit her, they are in pain and emotionally

registered nurse, but she did not stop there. She went on to become a nurse prac-

overwhelmed, and while she may not be able

titioner, a job she has held at Ochsner for five and a half years. Her passion for her

to completely cure her patients, she can help

career and for continuing education has not diminished, she is currently pursuing

them take great strides toward living normal

her Doctorate in Nursing.

lives again. And that’s a great feeling.

As a nurse practitioner, Kim is qualified to make diagnoses, prescribe medicines and order tests for patients. If she needs help with something, she knows she can always ask Dr. Shamita Shah, the medical director of Ochsner’s Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program. The program, founded in November 2015, exists to help people suffering from ailments like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Crohn’s disease causes inflammation of the digestive tract. The results of this inflam-

“I get to help people every day,” she said. “It’s why I get up every morning.”

I f yo u wo ul d l ike to sup p o r t p a t i ent ca re, e d uca t io n a n d re se a rc h i n t h e f ie l d of G a stro e n te ro l o g y,

mation include abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition.

p l e a se v isit Ochsner.org/gastro or

While the physical effects of Crohn’s are challenging on their own, the chronic

co n ta c t M a r j o r y H a rp e r, D ire c tor of

nature of the disease can make it mentally and emotionally overwhelming for

D eve l o p m e n t, a t 504 - 8 42 - 71 14 or

those who suffer from it.

m h a rp e r @ o c h sn e r. o rg.

o c h s n e r. o rg

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GLIMPSES

G u e s t s at t h e an n u al Ru by ’ s Kid s Easter Egg h u n t at Och s n e r Ho s pital fo r Ch il d re n e n joye d ph o to s wit h t h e Easter B u n ny, craf t s an d of co u r s e Eas te r eggs!

The 2019 King Cake Festival Judging Panel featured leaders and members from some of the city’s most prestigious Mardi Gras krewes.

Participants in the 2019 Rep Run at the King Cake Festival grab a quick selfie with Ollie the Lifemark before the start of the race.

Mary Blanco, Chary Egan, Anne Elizabeth Zegel, Katie Staiger, Katie Thibodeaux, Easter Bunny, Sal D’Antoni, Whitney

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King Cake Festival People’s Choice Winner Cannata’s takes a

Alford, Sydney Christman, Kathleen Clark, Ashley Bares, and

moment to pose for a photo during the Festival.

Amanda Stark snap a quick photo before the festivities begin.

Spring 2019

GLIMPSES

L to R - Amanda Nichols, speech therapist at the Michael L to R: Tanya Joseph, Deputy Grand Knight Tony DeLuca, Grand

R. Boh Center for Child Development, Amanda Fritscher,

Knight Dennis Bourgeois, Louisiana Crawf ish Festival Queen

Events Sales Manager of Chateau Country Club, Michelle

Rochelle Bergeron, Fran Bourgeois, Rusty Serpas and Anne

Yenni, General Manager of Chateau Country Club and

Marie Miller gather for a check presentation f rom the Knights of

Thomas Harris, Jr., Vice President for Pediatrics gathered

Columbus to Ochsner Hospital for Children.

in February for a check presentation.

Ochsner’s Red Tie Affair was held on February 8, 2019 at the Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans. At the event, which benef its Cardiology services at Ochsner, Dr. Carl ‘Chip’ Lavie was presented with the John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Award. Warner Thomas, President and CEO of Ochsner Health System, Frank Ochsner, Mary Lou Ochsner, Dr. Locke Ochsner, Dr. Lavie, Lori Kildgore Ochsner, Anderson Baker representing event sponsor Gillis, Ellis & Baker and Dr. Robert Hart, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Off icer of Ochsner Health System after the presentation of the award.

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Taking Care of Our Own

By Andrea Blumenstein | Photo by Cheryl Gerber

Serenity Room is the latest in Care for the Caregiver initiatives at Ochsner Baptist

A

year after repurposing an unused office space at Ochsner Baptist — a happy result of a recent structural expansion — into a shared space where hospital staff can pause, reflect and refresh, empowered nurses are celebrating the success of this inaugural effort and are looking forward to opportunities to expand.

A Nurse’s Journey Nursing Unit Manager Cavette Cazenave became a nurse after a chance encounter during Hurricane Katrina. Fate brought the mom of two and her husband to an apartment complex, where several tenants were nurses or were training to be nurses at a nearby college.

It was no small task, but with the support of her husband, Philip, Cavette worked as a patient care technician while studying to be a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). A lifelong learner, she returned to New Orleans and continued her education, working to become a Registered Nurse (RN) and also attaining a master’s degree. This year, Cavette and her family will celebrate as she completes her Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP).

Throughout her career, she has worked in medical surgery, palliative care, hospice and labor and delivery supporting the beginning of life, the end of life and everything in between. “I saw the nursing program from the bottom up,” said Cavette, who credits that work experience with making her an effective leader.

Speak to any great nurse and you will hear amazing stories of how they use their personal experiences to foster understanding each time they show up for work. The vocation of nursing draws — and retains — men and women who are smart, compassionate and capable. It is hard work, and it takes an effort to stay fresh. The popular metaphor, “you cannot pour from an empty cup,” holds particular significance when used to support fatigue and burnout resources, specifically for nurses, where physical and emotional stress are all in a day’s or night’s work. Research shows that when a healthcare staff is happy, cared for and appreciated, positive care outcomes improve. It was with this in mind that Cavette pursued a project that she hoped would not only make a difference in the

workdays of her fellow nurses, but in the lives of patients as well.

In February 2018, she piloted the Serenity Room project. She was instrumental in taking that unused office space and transforming it into what would become a tool to help her team work better and smarter by prioritizing self-care. The space, fairly minimalist at the onset, opened with just a few items she brought from home.

“I wanted to see if anyone would want to take that time, have that quiet space,” she said. “And then, over the course of the year, it has really flourished.”

Today, the room is equipped with two massage chairs, special lighting with a dimming function, yoga mats, a prayer box and some helpful words of wisdom and guidance for mindfulness and breathing techniques.

As the culture of speed and desire for immediacy grow in the digital world, it is important that nurses invest in self-care. Donna Martin, Chief Nursing Officer and a supporter of the Serenity Room, has witnessed an evolving industry during her time at Ochsner. “Nursing has changed,” she said. “Today, it is much harder at the best times.”

Nursing Unit Director Michelle ‘Mimi’ Stieffel said she hopes additional Serenity Rooms are made available.

“In our world, we don’t always have successful events,” Mimi said. “Sometimes there is a lot of stress, and it is key that nurses recharge so that they can be physically and emotionally present with all of the patients.”

With nurses experiencing both amazing joys and terrible tragedies, they carry their patients with them throughout their days and nights on the floor. The serenity room gives them a place to take one moment to catch their breath and center themselves so that they can enter the next room ready for whatever may face them.

I f yo u wo ul d l ike to sup p o r t Se re n ity R o o m s fo r n ur se s a t O c h sn e r Ba p t ist, p l e a se v isit

Ochsner.org/onemoment o r co n ta c t L a ure n Phi pps, D ire c to r of D eve l o p m e n t, a t 504 - 897- 599 0 o r l a ure n . p h ip p s@ o c h sn e r. o rg.

Self-care is important for anyone dealing with stress. Donna Martin, Chief Nursing Officer, shares the following ways to handle stress in the workplace: • Visit a quiet place • Go for a quick walk • If unable to leave, take one minute to practice deep breathing • Make sure you take breaks to stretch, especially if you work at a desk • Don’t forgot to stop and eat • Have a mentor — someone you can have safe conversations and talk through situations • Get enough sleep and rest at night • Practice gratitude for others and appreciation for yourself

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Spring 2019

Cavette Cazenave recharges in the Serenity Room at Ochsner Baptist

THE GREAT 100

Ochsner Baptist – A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center

Joan Jarreau Kiyan McCormick Ashley Monteleone Phyllis Panqueme Brittany Sweeney Ochsner Health System

Ahnyel Jones-Burkes (Center for Quality Excellence) Jennie Miele (System Nursing Professional Development) Ochsner Medical Center – Jefferson Highway

Amy Belknap Nick Culotta Amy Finnegan Mary Harvey Sylvia Laudun Jillian MacMahon Terry Tate Kendall Young Ochsner Medical Center – Kenner

Holly Chuter Ochsner Medical Center – West Bank Campus

Megan Olsen Ochsner St. Anne Hospital

Shannon Atkinson Slidell Memorial Hospital (Affiliated with Ochsner Health System)

Shelly Dolan St. Bernard Parish Hospital (Managed by Ochsner Health System)

Luke Cenac St. Tammany Parish Hospital (Affiliated with Ochsner Health System)

Adam Allen Michelle Theard

For more than 30 years, the Great 100 Nurses Foundation has honored and celebrated nurses who exemplify the best of care, compassion and humanity in their profession. Ochsner nurses have long been a fixture in the Great 100 for their dedication to bettering patients’ lives by any means possible. We are proud of the Ochsner nurses who are honored in the 2018 Great 100.

“

I feel lucky to be a nurse at Ochsner, where I’m empowered to make innovative decisions.

Every member of our team, regardless of title or background, has a voice that’s heard, respected, and leveraged to create a better patient experience. Every day is rewarding because we’re making a difference in innovating healthcare.”

— Megan Olsen, BSN, RN, MBA Director, Quality & Performance Improvement Director, Cardiac Cath Lab & Cardiology

“

I am both honored and grateful to be chosen as one of Louisiana’s Great 100 Nurses and am proud to work for Ochsner. As a nurse at our Baptist campus, I am witness daily to an organizational culture in which we all take care of each other and the patients truly receive the topnotch care that they deserve.”

— Joan Jarreau BSN, RN-BC

“

As a flight nurse at Ochsner, we see many critically ill patients and family members who are, understandably, scared. Being afforded the trust of the patient and family to be instrumental in their care is truly a humbling experience and is a responsibility that I do not take lightly.”

— Nick Culotta, RN, CFRN, NRP Flight Nurse / Flight Paramedic

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