chsnerserve, heal, lead, educate and innovate

Inside: Donors big and small (page 3). STAR students get

ahead (page 6). People and places (page 8). Make the

most of summer (page 10).

GOT MILK?The Mothers’ Milk Bank of

Louisiana at Ochsner Baptist helps babies get the lifesaving

nutrients they need

2 016 / augus t

www.ochsner.org

CommunityPrograms and Events

OCHSNER OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF CLASSES, SEMINARS AND

SUPPORT GROUPS, INCLUDING:

/ Infant Safety and CPR / Breastfeeding Basics

/ Lamaze Class / Diabetes Support Group / Weight Loss Surgery Seminar

/ Dementia Caregivers Support Group / Parkinson’s Symposium

For details and to see the full calendar, visit www.ochsner.org/eventscalendar.

ochsner board of directorsVincent “Butch” Adolph, MDPedro Cazabon, MDTom DavisRichard Deichmann, MDWilliam H. HinesDennis Kay, MDR. Parker LeCorgneGeorge Loss, MDJames E. MaurinSuzanne T. MestayerJefferson G. ParkerRobert PatrickPatrick J. Quinlan, MDTimothy Riddell, MDDana Smetherman, MDStephen StumpfJose S. SuquetDavid E. Taylor, MDWarner L. ThomasAndrew B. Wisdom

ochsner foundation boardGayle BensonRobert BohSarah Freeman CareyMiles ClementsJoseph Dalovisio, MDFrank DudenheferCalvin Fayard, Jr.Paul FlowerTommy FonsecaWilmer FreibergMarcel GarsaudLee Giorgio, Jr.Todd JohnsonCliffe LabordeMichael MaenzaJohn Ochsner, MDPamela SteegCatherine Tremaine

2 w w w . o c h s n e r . o r g

Copyright © 2016 by Ochsner Health System. Ochsner is published five times a year as a community service and

is not intended for the purpose of diagnosing or prescribing. Produced by DCP.

C o v e r : D a y m o n G a r d n e r

dear friends,

This issue of Ochsner magazine explores the recent

successes in our Women’s and Pediatric Centers of

Excellence. Innovations within each of these programs

are paving the way for an even brighter future for our

patients thanks to the continued support of donors

like you. Ochsner has made strides in twin-to-twin

transfusion surgery, making us one of just a handful

of programs in the nation, and has grown closer to

becoming one of only 24 nonprofit breast milk banks in

the U.S. through the Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana

at Ochsner Baptist. Coming together as a community,

we have raised funds through a matching campaign

with CN Miracle Match that will support our pediatric

intensive care unit and the newborns who so desper-

ately need care. We are a destination healthcare system;

our patients from all of Louisiana, from every state in

the nation and from more than 80 countries know that

they will find the best care right here at Ochsner.

While all of these stories fill me with pride and hope

for the future of the women and children who count

on us for their care, the story of Anna Grace Kaplan

stands out. Anna Grace demonstrates the potential for

a small donation to create incredible impact, symbol-

izing what true philanthropy is about.

I am so proud of these accomplishments and of

Ochsner’s women’s and pediatric programs. With

your support and through a strong commitment to

serving the needs of our community, there is nothing

we cannot achieve.

Warner L. Thomas

President & CEO

Ochsner Health System

2 0 1 6 / a u g u s t 3

Spotlight

The Gift of LifeDonors Paige and Paul Prechter ensure that Ochsner can offer a vital procedure to twin babies at risk

Paige and Paul Prechter were expecting twin girls in 2012 when a fetal medicine

specialist at Ochsner diagnosed their twins with a condition called twin-to-twin

transfusion syndrome (TTTS). TTTS causes one fetus to donate excessive blood to the

other; if the connecting blood vessels aren’t sealed off, the condition is almost always

fatal to one or both fetuses.

At the time of the Prechters’ diagnosis, the nearest facility that could treat TTTS

was in Houston. The Prechters traveled from New Orleans to Texas and successfully

received the laser ablation procedure needed to save their daughters’ lives. The

experience inspired them to help other families who may not have the ability to

travel, and their family started the Fetal Therapy Fund at Ochsner. In 2014, the

World Heritage Foundation Prechter Family Fund gave an initial donation of

$25,000 to pay for training. A second gift in the amount of $316,000, in the form

of a 2:1 challenge grant for equipment and the renovation of an operating room,

helped establish the TTTS procedure at Ochsner. Two successful procedures have

been done since that time.

But the work isn’t over. Through 2015, Ochsner received $192,589 in additional

donations, exceeding the match goal of $159,000. These additional funds provide

support for families undergoing the procedure and continued education and training.

The Prechters are delighted with the results thus far. “We are so impressed with

the dedication and time spent to make this important procedure an option here,”

Paige says. “And we want people dealing with TTTS to know that Ochsner is the

place to go.”

The Littlest PhilanthropistWhen Anna Grace Kaplan, 9 years old, decided

she wanted to help sick children, she started a

collection. She asked family and friends to donate

spare change, which she saved all year before giving

the money to Ochsner Baton Rouge. “I wanted to

help kids because helping others is the right thing

to do,” Anna Grace says.

“She selflessly saved her money and came to

the hospital to personally deliver her heartfelt

donation,” says Louisa Wittmann Post, Director

of Development with Ochsner’s Department of

Philanthropy. “It was inspiring to see this quality at

such a young age.”

Anna Grace’s mother, Laura Kaplan, says her

daughter has always been deeply compassionate. “I

was sick with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and lost all my

hair,” Laura says. “I would sleep on the bathroom

floor and she would pat my back and sleep on the

floor next to me.”

In addition to collecting money, Anna Grace has

never had a haircut. She’s growing it out to donate

to Locks of Love and help children who have lost

their own hair to cancer. “I want to be a doctor

when I grow up and thought it would be good to

start helping now,” Anna Grace says. “If we all

helped each other, this world would be better.”

The Prechter family, from left: Juliana, Annika, Paul, Paige and Savana.

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Anna Grace Kaplan

4 w w w . o c h s n e r . o r g

NICU

Care

That’s when the doctors at Ochsner

turned to a vital source of valuable

nutrition—human milk donated by

mothers whose supply exceeds the

needs of their own babies. Ochsner

is now developing Louisiana’s first

human milk bank at Ochsner Baptist.

There are just 24 active milk banks rec-

ognized by the Human Milk Banking

Association of North America. When

completed, the facility at Ochsner Bap-

tist will screen milk from approved do-

nors, then proceed with pasteurization,

packaging and distribution to neonatal

intensive care units (NICUs) throughout

Louisiana and the surrounding region.

Currently, Ochsner Baptist is classified

as a Human Milk Depot, partnering

with the Mothers’ Milk Bank at Austin,

Texas. Ochsner collects the milk and

sends it to Austin, where it is processed

and made ready for distribution. Ochs-

ner Baptist NICU then purchases this

milk for its babies. Because Ochsner is

a depot, a call from it to purchase the

milk is prioritized. However, there are

occasions when a request cannot be

fulfilled due to inadequate supply and

high demands.

“To have our own milk bank would

give Louisiana’s NICUs priority,” says

Laura Carleton, Project Coordinator

for the development of the Mothers’

Milk Bank of Louisiana at Ochsner

Baptist. “There’s never enough milk to

satisfy all the demand, so we can make

Milk of Human KindnessOchsner is launching Louisiana’s first mother’s milk bank, which will give lifesaving nutrients to premature babies and other infants whose moms are unable to nurse

L akita Wickware was having an

uncomfortable pregnancy, but with

four months to go, matters were about

to get worse. “The doctor said, ‘You

have pre-eclampsia and that baby has

to come out,’ ” recalls the 38-year-old

cleaning firm owner from Elmwood.

There followed two weeks of medical

interventions with the baby in utero,

buying time while his lungs developed.

As Wickware’s blood pressure problems

worsened, her little boy was delivered

by cesarean section. “He was so small,”

Wickware says. “I could hold his whole

body in one hand. Because of all the

tubes, I couldn’t see his face; that was

scary for me.”

It’s a helpless feeling, Wickware says;

one of the only things she could do was

try to feed her baby. Mother’s milk is

precious to all newborns, but for pree-

mies, it can be lifesaving. A 1-pound

baby is too small to nurse, so preemie

moms use mechanical pumps to collect

their milk. Unfortunately for Wickware,

it didn’t work. “I tried and tried, but the

milk never came,” she says.

Lakita Wickware, Ray Charles and Harley Ginsberg, MD, in front of Ray’s tiny footprints, taken during his time in the NICU, on a mural at Ochsner Baptist.

2 0 1 6 / a u g u s t 5 D a y m o n G a r d n e r

sure we take care of the need of our

state.” Part of the development effort

is to establish collection sites across

Louisiana. At Ochsner Baptist, the

current donation process could not be

easier. Once approved, a mother can

drive to the valet on the second floor of

the Jena parking garage (weekdays 7:30

a.m. to 3 p.m.) and drop off her milk

donation without ever leaving her car.

“In the spirit of milk being donated

by mothers in the Louisiana commu-

nity, we’re trying to grow this milk

bank from financial donations and

community support,” says Harley

Ginsberg, MD, Section Head of Neo-

natology and Medical Director of the

NICU at Ochsner Baptist. Dr. Ginsberg,

the driving force behind developing

the Mothers’ Milk Bank of Louisiana at

Ochsner Baptist, spearheaded the cam-

paign by being the initial donor; he and

his wife, Susan, donated $5,000, and

then contributed a $10,000 matching

grant. “We realized that if we were not

willing to take the lead, then we had

no right asking others to put a penny

toward the project,” Dr. Ginsberg says.

“And the Ochsner community, from

the doctors and nurses to our education

department, has been tremendously

supportive of this initiative.”

A location for the milk bank has

been chosen at Ochsner Baptist, and

with fundraising already underway—

Dr. Ginsberg says the goal is to raise

between $750,000 and $1 million—the

milk bank could be operational by the

end of 2017.

“This is not just a ‘feel-good’ project,”

Dr. Ginsberg adds. “Study after study

shows that a mother’s milk is vastly

superior to any commercially prepared

formula, especially with regard to

nutritional and immunogenic support.”

Mother’s milk offers the best available

protection against necrotizing entero-

colitis, an often-fatal affliction of the

intestines in preemies. Studies show

that preemies fed mother’s milk have

one-sixth the incidence of this disease.

The donor milk program aims to help

mothers feed their premature infants

until they begin producing milk. For

most mothers, milk production begins

within a week; for others, like Wick-

ware, the best of efforts yield no results.

“I’m so grateful for the help,” says

Wickware. “I know how hard it is to

pump, and that’s a real sacrifice by

another mom out there.” After his

rough start in life, baby Ray has grown

into a bright-eyed toddler, steadily

attaining his developmental milestones.

“I remember when they said he might

have serious problems or not even live,”

says Wickware. “It was a blessing for

someone to donate that milk so he could

have the best possible chance.”

➜To support the Mothers’ Milk Bank

of Louisiana at Ochsner Baptist, call

504-894-2017. To learn how to donate

mother’s milk, visit www.ochsner.org/

mothersmilkbank.

“ A milk bank in Louisiana would help to provide human milk—also known as ‘liquid gold’—to more of our vulnerable babies.”

—HARLEY GINSBERG, MD, SEC TION HE AD OF NEONATOLOGY AND

MEDIC AL DIREC TOR OF THE NICU AT OCHSNER BAPTIST

6 w w w . o c h s n e r . o r g

Community

of the STAR Program. “We want them to realize that healthcare can be much

more than being a nurse, a physician or a researcher.”

Now in its 10th year, the hands-on program introduces students to more than 50

clinical departments and healthcare specialties, including sports medicine, wom-

en’s health and oncology. In the process, students work with hundreds of doctors,

nurses, technologists, research scientists and laboratory assistants.

“They work with our scientists in a professional biology lab,” Sharai says, as well

as try out advanced technology like the da Vinci Surgical System, a robotic tool

used in surgery, and observe a live surgery conducted with the da Vinci robot.

The program’s extensive curriculum allows students to see the big picture of any

given medical field, Sharai says. Students also get exposed to the nonclinical side

of healthcare, including a presentation with 10 to 12 Ochsner executives. “They tell

the students about their careers,” Sharai says. “The students get to see that there

are nonclinical professions in healthcare.”

As expected, the program has inspired many students toward careers in

healthcare, with about 70 percent of former STAR students graduating from a

healthcare-related program or pursuing a profession in healthcare. But more

important to Sharai is how the STAR Program changes lives. “It helps students

see the range of opportunities that lie ahead of them,” she says.

It’s senior year of high school, and the

deadline for college applications is

coming up. You think you might be interested

in healthcare, but you’re not sure what to spe-

cialize in. Do you want to be a cardiologist? A

nurse? Could you handle surgery?

For many high school students pondering a

career in healthcare, opportunities to test that

interest before college are rare. That’s where the

Ochsner STAR (Science, Technology, Academics

and Research) Summer Program comes in. Open

to all students in Louisiana entering 11th or 12th

grade, the free five-week program gives students

the chance to explore healthcare, from scientific

research to clinical work to business operations.

“The goal is to let students see the potential

careers that exist in healthcare,” says Allison

Sharai, Strategic Operations Manager for the

Research Division of Ochsner and administrator

Shooting for the StarsThe Ochsner STAR Summer Program offers high school students a free opportunity to explore healthcare in all of its facets

Students in the STAR Summer Program work in actual healthcare settings, including a professional

biology laboratory.

2 0 1 6 / a u g u s t 7

A Perfect MatchIn partnership with the CN Miracle Match initiative, the Ochsner Hospital for Children raised more than $627,000 to expand its PICU program

CN, North America’s leading railroad

transportation company, chose

Ochsner as the sole U.S. beneficiary for its

2015 Miracle Match Campaign. In addition to a

matching donation of $300,000 from CN, dona-

tions came from more than 600 organizations

and individuals, including more than 400 Ochs-

ner employees. The gifts, which totaled more

than $627,000, will allow Ochsner to expand its

pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Currently a

14-bed unit, the PICU will expand to 26 beds by

November of this year. The upcoming expansion

has also allowed the PICU to grow and improve

in other ways, explains Vincent Adolph, MD,

Interim Chair of Pediatrics, particularly in the

reinvigoration of its congenital heart program

and the recruitment of Benjamin Peeler, MD, a

nationally renowned pediatric heart surgeon.

Lutifat Kashimawo, MD, Medical Director of

the PICU, is excited about the program’s future.

Before, patients in need of pediatric heart sur-

gery had to travel out of state for treatment. “But

come November,” she says, “patients can expect

to find the same healthcare here at home that

they would get at any other leading hospital in

the country.”

Will Noland, CN Superintendent of Operations (above right, holding check), presents Ochsner Hospital for Children with a check for $300,000.

Left and below: A rendering of the expanded pediatric intensive care unit, set to open in November.

“Come November, patients can expect to find the same healthcare here at home that they would get at any other leading hospital in the country.”

—LUTIFAT K ASHIMAWO, MD, MEDIC AL DIREC TOR OF THE PICU

From Easter egg hunts and Ironman races to the 2016 Benefactor Dinner, members of the Ochsner community continue to find creative ways to give back—and have fun while doing so.

8 w w w . o c h s n e r . o r g

Glimpses

People andPlaces

Above: Dr. and Mrs. Gerald Keller (left) and Dr. and Mrs. Roy Gregory (right) were honored at the Ochsner Alumni Homecoming Banquet, which took place in May. Below: Sponsored by the Ochsner Alumni Association, Team CarolinaQ NOLA participated in the 2016 Hogs for the Cause event, which took place in April in New Orleans City Park.

Annually, Ochsner Philanthropy hosts an event to celebrate their generous benefactors. This year’s Benefactor Dinner was held in May. Top: John Hanson, donor speaker for the event, with Ochsner President and CEO Warner Thomas. Middle: Charles Leggett, Ann Leggett, Sandy Villere, Paulette Stewart and Frank Stewart at the reception hosted by the Ochsner Heritage Society before the dinner. Bottom: Sis Mann and Catherine Burns Tremaine, daughters respectively of Dr. Alton Ochsner and Dr. Edgar Burns, two of Ochsner’s five founders.

2 0 1 6 / a u g u s t 9

Picture-perfect moments from the Ruby’s Kids Easter Egg Hunt, held on April 24, 2016, at Ochsner Medical Center. Top: Jihad Alhatel gets a thumbs-up from the Easter Bunny. Middle: Evelyn Leger shows her finds to Ochsner Child Life Specialist Whitney Alford. Bottom: Christopher Enamorado takes a break from hunting eggs to pose for a photo with the Easter Bunny and Child Life Specialist Mary Nicholson.

Scenes from the Ochsner Ironman New Orleans 70.3, held on April 17, 2016. Above: Ochsner Ironman Superheroes commemorate their efforts to raise funds for Ochsner’s Excellence Fund, which supports patient care and innovation projects systemwide. Below: Andrew Starykowicz celebrates the first Ironman win of his professional career.

1 0 w w w . o c h s n e r . o r g

Body

& SoulMake the Most of SummerSummer is the time to savor long weekends, outdoor activities and a bounty of seasonal treats

Fun and Fit Summer Programs Ochsner’s summer programs are great ways to keep kids physically and socially

engaged while school is out

Elmwood Fitness Center hosts the Kidsports Summer Camp, which gives children ages 5 to 12 a

noncompetitive growth experience. While enjoying the outdoor pool, team sports, weekly field

trips and more, campers can gain confidence and improve their social skills.

The newly renovated Elmwood Fitness Center – West Bank promises unlimited fun in the

sun. The 34,000 square-foot facility offers swimming, arts and crafts, team sports, and more.

Other summer camp offerings range from cheerleading to gymnastics. There is even a

weight loss program for children and tweens ages 8 to 14. The 12-week “I Can Do It” series

features interval training sessions (which include cardio and weight lifting), nutrition lectures

and a healthy cooking demonstration.

➜For more information, visit www.elmwoodfitness.com or call 504-733-1200.

Popsicle PicksWhile frozen treats can run high in fat and

sugar, many are healthier than you think.

Making your own popsicles is the best way to

avoid added sugars and artificial flavors, but

a few store-bought alternatives are just as

good. Molly Kimball, registered dietitian with

Ochsner’s Elmwood Fitness Center, shares a

few of her favorites (and not so favorites):

LOVE IT!

• Low-sugar popsicles featuring natural

sweeteners and/or fresh fruit. Available

from Whole Foods, GoodPop Strawberry

Frozen Pops have simple ingredients

and only 60 calories. Diana’s Bananas

Babies get their sweetness naturally from

the chocolate-dipped banana, while So

Delicious Coconut Milk Minis Fudge Bars

are sweetened with monk fruit and are

dairy-free and vegan.

LIKE IT!

• Low-calorie frozen pops that sneak in a

little extra fruit/vegetable juice. Trick

picky eaters with Whole Foods’ 365 Carrot

Tangerine Fruit and Veggie Bars, which

taste like regular fruit popsicles but list

carrot puree first in the ingredients.

HATE IT!

• High-fat ice cream bars and popsicles with

high-fructose corn syrup and artificial col-

oring. Some ice cream bars can pack more

calories and saturated fat than a McDonald’s

cheeseburger.

2 0 1 6 / a u g u s t 1 1

Philanthropy

Ochsner President and CEO Warner Thomas introduces The Campaign for Ochsner.

“Our donors have provided opportunities for our patients in ways that no other source could have.”

—MICHELLE DODENHOFF, SENIOR VICE

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF DEVELOPMENT

OFFICER FOR OCHSNER HE ALTH SYSTEM

A Campaign of PromiseOchsner announces a fundraising initiative in honor of its upcoming 75th anniversary

O chsner’s annual Benefactor Dinner

recognizes donors who have con-

tributed $25,000 or more, along with

members of the Heritage Society who

have included bequests in their estate

plans. This year’s event, held on May

23 at the Roosevelt Hotel, offered an

additional cause for revelry, thanks to

the announcement of The Campaign for

Ochsner: Celebrating a History of Chang-

ing and Saving Lives. This undertaking

seeks to raise $75 million before the end

of 2017, Ochsner’s 75th year in operation.

According to Michelle Dodenhoff, Senior

Vice President and Chief Development

Officer for Ochsner Health System, the

campaign began in 2015 and has already

raised $35.2 million.

“We have such a strong donor com-

munity,” says Dodenhoff, referring to

both employees, who are “very loyal”

supporters of Ochsner’s work system-

wide, and community members, who

are primarily grateful patients or family

members of those who received care.

“People often want to give in memory

of someone,” says Dodenhoff. “It can serve

as an important part of an individual’s

healing process. This type of giving is

very meaningful.”

With The Campaign for Ochsner, the

healthcare system has laid out what

Dodenhoff calls “a very solid, forward-

thinking strategic plan.” Among the

major funding goals are doubling the

size of the Gayle and Tom Benson Cancer

Center, advancing diabetes program-

ming, creating a child development cen-

ter to help kids with learning or develop-

ment issues, establishing a cancer center

in Baton Rouge, and raising money for

the AFib Center of Excellence for people

with heart irregularities.

Dodenhoff credits donor support with

helping keep Ochsner at the forefront of

medicine.

“We have seen how much philanthropy

transforms an organization,” she says.

“Our donors have provided opportunities

for our patients in ways that no other

source could have.”

1514 Jefferson Hwy

Jefferson, LA 70121

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDNew Orleans LAPermit No. 1324

For more information, visit www.moonlightandmiracles.org.

GALA DATE:

Friday, November 11, 2016AT THE MERCEDES-BENZ SUPERDOME

PATRON NIGHT:

Wednesday, November 9, 2016AT CLUB XLIV IN CHAMPIONS SQUARE

When it’s fourth down, and you feel as if you can’t go any further, you look to your teammates—those who have shared your pain

as well as your victories—for support. It’s in these moments that they provide the strength needed to help you take one more

step. “Together we can do this,” you think to yourself. And you begin to believe it.

— • —

As we come together to celebrate the many miracles taking place each day at Ochsner, we remember those who face their own

fourth downs in their battle against cancer.

— • —

We stand with them as a reminder that they are never alone.

A Celebration of Care BENEATH THE DOME & UNDER THE STARS