Ochsner 65 Plus - Baton Rouge

Endometriosis presents unique challenges for Black women, affecting health in significant ways. Knowing the symptoms is important because they can be different for everyone.

Discover the three key things every Black woman should know about endometriosis and take steps toward better health and support. 🔍

Read more:

If You’re Black & Have Endometriosis Here Are 3 Things You Should Know | Ochsner Health Black women with endometriosis face unique challenges. They often have different symptoms than others, and their treatment options can differ.

📅 Save the date for the Big Health Event, presented by the Urban League of Louisiana and sponsored by Ochsner Health, on Saturday, Sept. 14, at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center!

The event will offer free health screenings, healthy cooking and Eat Fit Ochsner nutrition sessions, yoga flow, sports performance demos, empowering health talks, kid’s fun zones and more! Free parking is available.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to prioritize your health and well-being. Register for the free event today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-big-health-event-el-gran-evento-de-salud-tickets-934716541337

From a tiny NICU preemie weighing just 1 pound, 9 ounces, to a dedicated Ochsner employee and proud husband and father, Matt Broussard’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Born in August 1978, 14 weeks early, Matt defied the odds thanks to the expert and compassionate care provided to him by Ochsner’s NICU team.

This August, Matt returned to Ochsner Baptist’s NICU with his family and Ochsner partner Saul's Light to celebrate his 46th birthday, reflecting on his incredible journey and the advances in neonatal care that continue to save lives today. His story is one of hope, resilience and the expert care provided at Ochsner.

Matt said, “The NICU is where I got my start in life. I have realized that without the outstanding doctors, nurses and staff in the NICU, I would not be where I am today without them. So, if I can help other children and families starting out in life as I did, I will do that!”

Read Matt’s full story: https://blog.ochsner.org/articles/from-nicu-preemie-to-ochsner-employee-a-new-orleans-mans-inspiring-journey

🌟Join us in celebrating the incredible achievements of the nine graduates from our first-ever Urgent Care Medical Assistant (MA) Training Program! 🎓✨ This groundbreaking initiative, in partnership with MedCerts, is all about empowering the future of healthcare with top-notch training, mentorship and job placement support.

Through our 28-week “earn as you learn” Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) program, participants received expert-led, hands-on learning. Thanks to the dedication of the urgent care quality team and Ochsner Workforce Development, these graduates honed their skills and gained valuable certifications and are now gearing up for their CCMA exams.

As healthcare continues to evolve, we're committed to staying ahead and providing pathways to success for future healthcare professionals. Whether starting a new journey or advancing a career, this program is a beacon of opportunity.

Congratulations to our outstanding Ochsner Urgent Care MA graduates—Quinta Alveris, Arcenia Crayton, Camry Cole, Jamilla Norris, Janasia Francois, Mia Parker, Sharica Poindexter, Tahara Granderson and Zamilh Laird! We’re proud to have you as part of our Ochsner team as you step into your healthcare careers with us! 🎉👏

🌟 Meet George Kirkman, NP, a dedicated member of the Ochsner team for over a decade! As the system lead of advanced practice providers and director of advanced practice providers for Ochsner Urgent Care, George thrives on solving the puzzles of medicine and bringing patients to better health. 🏥✨

For George, the most rewarding part of the job is helping patients leave feeling better than when they arrived. Building trust and rapport with each patient is key, and George excels at it. 💙

Outside of work, George stays busy renovating his new house and enjoys working with his hands. George is married to his high school sweetheart and together they have two precious pups! 🏡

Thank you, George, for all you do each day! Learn more about George Kirkman, NP: https://www.ochsner.org/doctors/george-kirkman.

Urgent Care Services | Ochsner Health In need of urgent care? You’ll find after-hours and weekend care at an Ochsner Urgent Care location. Learn more about our services.

Temps may still be hovering around the 90s, but Starbucks has already brought back its fall menu, including the Pumpkin Spice Latte. 🎃
Here's how to order a PSL that's a bit healthier. ☕

4 Ways to Order a Healthier Pumpkin Spice Latte From Starbucks in 2023 | Ochsner Health Did you know a regular grande Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte with 2% steamed milk foam has 390 calories, 14 grams of fat, 52 carbs, 14 grams of protein and 50 grams of sugar?

Congratulations to Arcenia Crayton, our amazing Patient Access Rep at Ochsner Urgent Care & Occupational Health - Westbank, for receiving a well-deserved patient experience pin! 🌟

Arcenia consistently goes above and beyond in delivering outstanding patient care, contributing to our clinic's top-notch patient experience scores. Patients often praise her for her compassion, attentiveness, and professionalism, making her a standout member of our team. We're proud to have Arcenia setting the standard for excellence in patient care! 💙

Our urgent care team is always here for you! Learn more about Ochsner Urgent Care here: https://www.ochsner.org/services/urgent-care-services.

This summer, 59 high school students from five regions completed STEM Pathfinder, a week-long program at Ochsner Health dedicated to exploring healthcare careers and fostering leadership development 🩺🏥🧪. Students in grades 9th to 11th participated in hands-on labs, interacted with healthcare professionals, and toured Ochsner’s hospitals in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, St. Charles, Shreveport and Monroe.

After completing the program, students reported an increased interest in pursuing healthcare as a career and felt they could positively impact their community by working within healthcare.

💬 A student from the river region summed up the program best, “It was a wonderful experience and opens new opportunities to explore careers involving the medical field. Events and programs like these are what help people decide what they want to do in the future.”

Thank you to the amazing teams at Ochsner who helped make this program a success. We can’t wait to see where life takes these future healthcare leaders!

🌟 Learn more about Ochsner’s summer programs: https://www.ochsner.org/giving/community-outreach/education-outreach/summer-programming

Fletcher Technical Community College has opened a new, state-of-the-art facility to expand the college's nursing and allied health programs. The facility was made possible due to contributions from several partners, including Ochsner Health.

Through this partnership, Fletcher will more than triple enrollment capacity and double the size of the faculty, ensuring that the healthcare workforce of tomorrow is being cultivated in our communities.

This new facility will provide community members with the chance to enter the healthcare profession, armed with the high-quality, specialty training needed to succeed. As the demand for talented healthcare professionals continues to rise nationwide, Ochsner is proud to invest in the talent that exists within our state and region.

This partnership also represents a step forward in providing residents with opportunities to advance along high-wage career paths and contribute to the well-being of our local communities.

Through programs like Fletcher Technical Community College and the Ochsner Scholars initiative, Ochsner is investing in aspiring healthcare professionals and ensuring our workforce reflects the communities we serve.

Ochsner is proud to support Son of a Saint, an organization making a lasting impact on the lives of young men in New Orleans through mentorship and guidance. WWLTV recently featured a powerful story by Meg Farris about the life-changing effects of Son of a Saint on our community.

Since 2011, Son of a Saint has empowered hundreds of boys by offering the development of life skills, exposure to constructive experiences, the formation of positive, lasting p*er-to-p*er relationships and more.

Through Ochsner's $1 million pledge, the two organizations have not just opened an all-inclusive home and headquarters, The Ochsner Health Son of a Saint Bivian Lee, Jr. Center, but have also significantly enhanced the mission with in-house mental health services. Ochsner therapists and case workers are now assigned to Son of a Saint full-time, providing crucial support to help mentees through stress, trauma, loneliness and losses they have experienced.

We are honored to be a part of this transformative journey by providing valuable resources and opportunities. Learn more about how Son of a Saint is shaping the future of our community:

Son of a Saint changing lives Since 2011, Son of a Saint has helped 350 mentees, and the more donations, and volunteers they get, the more teens they can help.

August is National Make a Will Month. Estate planning is the best way to plan for the future while protecting those you love. Learn more important facts about having a written will. https://ow.ly/nfXA50SEPgV

Create your free will today: https://ow.ly/GeXS50SEPgW

The Importance of Having a Written Will: 2024 Tips | Ochsner Health While it is not a fun topic to bring up, a will is an important thing to have, allowing you to decide who inherits what from your estate.

Our Ochsner Urgent Care & Occupational Health - Metairie team had a blast celebrating National Ice Cream Sandwich Day! 🍦 We're here for you with extended hours and convenient walk-in service. From minor injuries to unexpected illnesses, count on us for care when you need it most.

Visit us at 2215 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, LA 70002. Our convenient hours are:
Monday: 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m. 🏥
Tuesday - Friday: 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. 🕗
Saturday - Sunday: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 📅

Learn more about Ochsner Urgent Care & Occupational Health - Metairie here: https://ow.ly/lQul50SYsCq.

Congrats, Brandin, for this amazing achievement! 🎉 Keep soaring to new heights! 🚁

A big shoutout to Brandin for his promotion to Lead Pilot! Your commitment and hard work in the Metro Family over the last 2 years have been inspiring! 🌟

Ochsner celebrated the opening of Ochsner Community Health – Brees Family Center, located at 91 Westbank Expressway in Gretna, on Thursday, Aug. 8! With the mission of providing and promoting health equity for all, Ochsner’s community health centers offer accessible and convenient primary care for patients and their families, all in one place.

“We are committed to addressing health disparities head-on,” said Kevin Green, vice president of community health, Ochsner Health. “This new center is a pivotal step toward reducing chronic diseases and improving health outcomes in Gretna. By focusing on equitable care and integrating community resources, we aim to ensure that every resident has the opportunity to achieve their best health.”

The Ochsner Community Health – Brees Family Center in Gretna is the eighth of 15 community health centers planned for across the state. Ochsner Health committed more than $10 million to open and operate the centers, alongside a $5 million gift announced in 2020 from Brittany and Drew Brees’ Brees Dream Foundation. Funds from the Brees Dream Foundation have supported startup and operational costs for these facilities. This significant investment to support the creation of community health centers bolsters Ochsner’s long-term efforts to reduce barriers to healthcare by making services affordable, convenient and accessible to all – a key component of Ochsner’s vision to transform Louisiana into a healthier state.

Thank you to those who made this opening possible, including The Brees Dream Foundation, Ochsner's board and executive team, physician leaders who helped design the programs, Ochsner Community Health care teams and the facilities team. And, of course, a special thank you to our patients and community members for trusting us and giving us guidance to better meet your needs.

Appointments to the new Ochsner Community Health – Brees Family Center or any other of our healthcare facilities are available online and through the MyOchsner patient portal or by calling 504-584-0300.

Ochsner Community Health – Brees Family Center (Gretna) | Ochsner Health is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Learn more about the opening of the Ochsner Community Health - Brees Family Center in Gretna: https://news.ochsner.org/news-releases/ochsner-community-health-brees-family-center-opens-in-gretna

Ochsner Health is excited to share that Jacklyn Ruhl, PhD, a psychologist at Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans, made Gambit's 40 Under 40 2024 list!

Read more here: https://www.nola.com/gambit/digital_edition/gambits-40-under-40-2024/html_40ba3692-45f6-11ef-b154-9334c593fc3d.html

Learn more about Dr. Ruhl here: https://www.ochsner.org/doctors/jacklyn-ruhl.

Meet Gambit's 40 Under 40 class of 2024 Welcome to another edition of Gambit's 40 Under 40! Once again this year, we asked you, our readers, to nominate folks in our community who are doing something special. And

Nearly all of New Orleans is under a boil water advisory on Wednesday, Aug. 7, according to the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans. Learn more about how to safely drink water while under a boil water advisory from infectious disease specialist Katherine Baumgarten, MD.

9 Things To Know About Boil Water Advisories in 2024 | Ochsner Health Answers to commonly asked questions about a boil water advisory from an infectious disease doctor.

We had an incredible time at the Youth Empowerment Project - YEP and Ochsner Children's Hospital Back to School Fest on Aug. 3 🎒! Thanks to our amazing partnership with YEP, we connected with 475 participants and handed out 350 backpacks filled with school supplies to our community's students.

Our fantastic Ochsner Healthy Schools nurses provided hearing and vision screenings to 48 students, and teams from Ochsner Community Health - Brees Family Center shared important pediatric and primary care information with all participants. 🩺👓

Ochsner Education Outreach, with the help of our dedicated volunteers, brought back to school-themed STEM activities to life and gifted 300 books and water bottles to the eager students. 📚

We were thrilled to join the YEP Team in kicking off the 2024-2025 school year, ensuring students and families are set up for a happy, healthy and successful year ahead!

Congratulations to 21 of our dedicated nurses at Ochsner Health who have been named to the 2024 Great 100 Nurses of Louisiana list by the Great 100 Nurses Foundation! 🏅

Their unwavering commitment to excellence, compassionate care and innovation exemplify Ochsner's values. "Being included among the Great 100 Nurses of Louisiana is a testament to the unwavering dedication and hard work these nurses exhibit daily. Their commitment to providing high-quality patient care sets a standard of excellence that resonates throughout our organization," said Tiffany Murdock, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Ochsner Health.

Join us in celebrating these extraordinary nurses who continue to inspire us all. Their hard work and dedication make a profound difference in the lives of our patients every day.

For the complete list of honorees and to learn how they're shaping the future of healthcare, visit: https://news.ochsner.org/news-releases/ochsner-health-nurses-named-to-the-great-100-nurses-of-louisiana-2024-list

Ochsner Health Ochsner inspires healthier lives and stronger communities through a combination of standard-setting expertise, quality and connection not found anywhere else in the region.

A big congratulations to Jessica Metzger, PA, for her exceptional teamwork and continuously ranking in the 99th percentile for patient experience! 🌟 Jessica's unwavering dedication and positive influence are truly priceless.

Jessica's presence is profoundly missed when she's away, leaving a significant impact on both leaders and the team. Clinic operations wouldn't be as seamless without you, Jessica. Your contributions are deeply valued by our team and patients alike!

👏 Thank you, Jessica, for your outstanding commitment and the difference you make every day at Ochsner Urgent Care! 🌟

Learn more about Ochsner Urgent Care here: www.ochsner.org/services/urgent-care-services.

August is National Make a Will Month. Think written wills are just for the rich and famous? Shon C. Baker, PhD, vice president of Ochsner Philanthropy, explains why that is not the case and provides other facts about written wills. https://blog.ochsner.org/articles/10-myths-about-writing-a-will

Create your free will today: www.freewill.com/ochsner?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=202408_ochsner_mawm_social

10 Facts You Must Know Before Writing a Will | Ochsner Health For many people, writing a will seems like a complex, daunting process, but it doesn't have to be.

🌟 Meet Dr. Effie Branton, the Ochsner Urgent Care Medical Director for the Baton Rouge region. 🌟

Since joining Ochsner in 2020, Dr. Branton has valued the organization's patient-focused approach and core values. Dr. Branton has been part of Ochsner since 2020. 🏥

She thrives on patient interaction, emphasizing the importance of empathetic listening. "The most important thing that I do in my patient interactions is listening. When I connect to what a patient is saying about their situation and acknowledge this, mirroring it back to them, healing begins," she says.

Dr. Branton first wanted to become a doctor at the age of 8. She had an understanding even then how gratifying it would be to care for others. As it turned out, this youthful inspiration was exactly right for her. 💙

Outside the clinic, Dr. Branton loves traveling to visit her family, exploring new cultures, hiking, kayaking, swimming and playing the piano. She's also a yoga instructor and an avid reader who enjoys studying and sharing Eastern medicine and Ayurveda.

Thank you, Dr. Branton, for all you do for your patients and their families! 👩‍👧‍👦

Learn more about Effie Branton, MD, here: https://www.ochsner.org/doctors/effie-branton.

Urgent Care Services | Ochsner Health In need of urgent care? You’ll find after-hours and weekend care at an Ochsner Urgent Care location. Learn more about our services.

The average person only wears sunscreen when planning to spend time outdoors. However, to protect your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, it is important to wear sunscreen daily ☀️🧴. Von Graham, MD, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, joined WVUE FOX 8 to share essential tips for applying sunscreen and choosing the correct SPF.

Summer Sunscreen Protection Tips

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a blood test for colorectal cancer screening in adults 45 and older who are at average risk for the disease.

Jonathan Mizrahi, MD, a medical oncologist at Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center, said the Shield test can make a difference in the number of eligible adults who are screened for colorectal cancer.

"It is another non-invasive tool to close that gap between the folks that we want screened and the folks that actually are getting screened,” he told WVUE FOX 8.

According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for colorectal cancer is about 90% when it's found early.

Watch Dr. Mizrahi's interview on Fox 8:

Doctors say new FDA approval of colon cancer-detecting blood test could increase screenings The liquid biopsy detects tumor DNA in blood samples

On Saturday, July 27, around 50 dedicated Ochsner employees and their family members joined forces for an incredible extreme library makeover at Marrero Middle School! 📚 Volunteers rolled up their sleeves to stain bookcases, restock books, assemble chairs and bean bags, and transform the library into a vibrant and welcoming space for students and teachers.

Thank you to our volunteers who helped make this possible. Your hard work and generosity are inspiring!

Hot temperatures and high humidity (hello, Louisiana) increase a person's risk for heat stroke.
But you can take simple steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.

What Is Heat Stroke? 7 Ways to Protect Yourself and Your Family | Ochsner Health Exertional heat illness, commonly known as "heat stroke," is a major cause of death and illness in young athletes and laborers who work outside in the heat and humidity.

Caffeine, found in coffee, tea and energy drinks, can make you need to p*e more often. ☕ Want to know why this happens and how to manage it? Check out our latest blog to learn more.

Top Reasons Why Caffeine Can Make You P*e More | Ochsner Health Discover the top reasons why caffeine increases urination and learn how staying hydrated can improve bladder health.

When antidepressants and psychotherapy don't work for depression, transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy, a painless procedure, might help.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy for Depression | Ochsner Health Transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy, or TMS, may be able to help those who find that other treatments for depression aren’t effective.

Youth Empowerment Project - YEP and Ochsner Children's Hospital invite you to Back to School Fest on Saturday, Aug. 3, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at New Orleans East Opportunity Center (12000 Hayne Blvd., New Orleans). ✏️

There will be free health checks, food and giveaways!

Enjoy a day of fun and food with snowballs, backpack giveaways and music by DJ Jess, along with vision and hearing screenings by Ochsner Children’s Hospital. 💙

We look forward to seeing you!

Register at the door or by visiting our registration link: https://ow.ly/mnMZ50SKly9.

When Allen Williams received his diagnosis, it was a huge shock. As a complex spine case, it needed special expertise and care. Thankfully, James Kalyvas, MD; Christopher Babycos, MD; Andrew Newton, MD; and Joanna Togami, MD, were there for Allen and his family.

They treated his condition and gave him personal care before, during and after treatment.

Read about Allen's journey and how he overcame this challenging time with their help.

https://ow.ly/t3ml50SJl5r