chsnerfa l l / w in t er 2 01 4

your guide to health and wellness

THE FIERCEST SUPERHERO Brave young patients like Cecilia Shaffette profoundly inspire their healthcare teams

Inside: Far from home? Ochsner still has you covered (page 10).

Bringing the experts to patients’ bedsides (page 12). The spirit of

giving, Louisiana–style (page 15). We’ve got your back, in every

sense of the word (page 16).

> complimentary issue <

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

Welcome

WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU! please send comments to magazine@ochsner.orgCopyright © 2014 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,One of our “superheroes,” Cecilia, is featured on

the cover of this issue of Ochsner. Like many of our

youngest patients, she has spent too much of her life at

Ochsner Hospital for Children and at Ochsner Health

Centers for Children. Cecilia, and patients like her,

inspire us to provide the highest-quality care and to

seek ways to make care available when and where you

need it.

That’s why we are partnering with hospitals across

Louisiana and the Gulf Coast to bring our experience

with complex medical issues to communities large and

small. Using new and innovative technologies, we are

bringing the expertise of highly specialized physicians

into hospitals, doctors’ offices and workplaces across

the region. This allows patients to stay close to home

and still access some of the world’s best-trained medi-

cal specialists. We envision a future in which Ochsner

doctors spend just as much time keeping people well

as they do treating those who are sick. From moni-

toring ICU patients and consulting on complex cases

to introducing workplace health kiosks or creating

online physician access for routine needs, Ochsner

providers will lead the way. Our patients deserve it,

and we will continue to pioneer even better ways to

meet our patients’ needs.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Ochsner and, as

always, we welcome your feedback. Feel free to email

us at magazine@ochsner.org.

Warner L. Thomas

President & Chief Executive Officer

Ochsner Health System

Save the Date!2015 King Cake FestivalA Family-Friendly Festival to Benefit Babies & Children at Ochsner. / Sample the finest king cakes from the greatest bakers. Vote for your

favorite to win the People’s Choice Award. Join in the Stroller Fun Run.

This FREE event features live music by local musicians and a special

performance by Cowboy Mouth!

January 25, 2015 | Champions Square

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f a l l / w i n t e r 2 0 1 4 3

The Scoop

Flu FightersFlu season is here, and it’s difficult to suffer through the infection’s most common

symptoms: fever, chills, aches and fatigue. These tips will help you minimize your risk

of getting or spreading the flu.

• Wash your hands often, or clean them with an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Avoid close contact with others who are sick, and stay home from work or

school if you are ill.

• Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.

• Participate in healthy habits: Get plenty of sleep and exercise, manage your

stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.

• Keep your hands and fingers away from your nose, mouth and eyes.

• Get vaccinated: It’s the surest way to prevent the flu. While everyone over

6 months of age should get a yearly flu shot, the vaccine is especially important

for those younger than 5 and older than 65, pregnant women, and people with

certain medical conditions, such as asthma or diabetes.

For additional tips on how to avoid colds or flu, visit www.ochsner.org/magazine.

/ “The most important way to prevent flu is to get the flu shot every year. Any one of the available flu vaccines is effective, so make sure you get vaccinat-ed. It’s as easy as seeing your Ochsner physician or visiting an Ochsner pharmacy.” —Katherine Baumgarten, MD,

Infectious Disease Specialist, Ochsner Medical Center

Richard Milani, MD, at the O Bar.

National First Apple HealthKit Connects to Ochsner’s MyChart

Ochsner recently became the first health system to

connect MyChart, its patient portal, with Apple’s

HealthKit, a groundbreaking app that allows users

to track and share a wide range of health, fitness

and medical information. “The connection with

HealthKit will make a major difference in how

patients participate in their own healthcare in the

future,” says Richard Milani, MD, Ochsner’s Chief

Clinical Transformation Officer.

In addition, Ochsner has recently opened O

Bar, a health-focused “genius bar” where communi-

ty members can learn how cutting-edge technology

can help them stay well. Staffed by a specialist who

can help choose the right apps for each individ-

ual’s lifestyle, the O Bar makes managing one’s

healthcare easy and efficient. With just a swipe,

tap or click, Ochsner patients now have a world of

customized health resources at their fingertips.

These are just two examples of how Ochsner is

embracing mobile technology to offer a more pa-

tient-friendly approach to healthcare and why Ochs-

ner was named one of the nation’s “Most Wired”

hospitals by Hospitals & Health Networks. For a list

of Ochsner-approved fitness and wellness apps,

visit www.ochsner.org/magazine.

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/ Ochsner has 12 affiliated hospitals and 40+ clinics.

378,260 patients were served last year. TO

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Ochsner Medical Center and Ochsner Medical

Center - West Bank were two of only 36

hospitals ranked in 2014 by US News &

World Report as among the best hospitals in

the country in 9 or more specialties.

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

Sensory Stress BustersStress may be unavoidable in today’s busy world, but learning how to cope

with it effectively can help stave off a host of health problems. When left

unchecked, stress has been linked to everything from insomnia and head-

aches to high blood pressure and heart disease.

There are many ways people can keep daily stress under control,

including meditating, practicing yoga, exercising and spending time with

loved ones. Some of the simplest stress-busting techniques involve nothing

more than actively engaging our five senses in our surroundings. Many of

Ochsner’s facilities are designed with this in mind and feature meditation

rooms, serene gardens, natural light and soothing artwork. Here are a few

suggestions for sensory stress relief:

➜ Smell: Breathe in the scent of lavender, known for its calming

properties.

➜ Taste: Drink a soothing cup of chamomile tea at bedtime.

➜ Sight: Gaze at a fire, the ocean or a sunset, or stroll through a

beautiful art museum.

➜ Sound: Focus on the relaxing sounds of nature, or listen to

calming classical or instrumental music.

➜ Touch: Cuddle a beloved pet, hold hands with a loved one or treat

yourself to a massage.

#1By the Numbers:

➜ CareChex®, a division of

Comparion, ranked Ochsner Medical

Center No. 1 in the nation for liver

transplants. Ochsner is also ranked

the No. 1 hospital in Louisiana and the

No. 8 hospital in the nation for Overall

Hospital Care.

The sculpture garden at the New Orleans Museum of Modern Art.

f a l l / w i n t e r 2 0 1 4 5

The Scoop

Herb-Crusted Chicken Breast From Commander’s Palace / An Ochsner-approved Eat Fit NOLA recipe. Yield: 1 portion.

/ “A smart, well-timed snack can boost energy levels, improve focus and fend off cravings.

The ideal snack consists of a source of protein, fiber-rich carbs and heart-smart fats, with

little or no refined white flour or added sugar.” —Molly Kimball, Registered Dietitian, Elmwood Fitness Center

Ingredients:

• 5 ounces chicken breast (or pork tenderloin)

• 1/8 teaspoon salt

• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

• ¼ ounce unsalted butter, melted

• ½ ounce fresh thyme

• 1 ounce roasted garlic cloves

• 2 ounces roasted shallots, quartered

• 3 ounces sweet potatoes, diced

• 1 ounce cremini mushrooms, quartered

• 1 ounce red wine

• 4 ounces poultry stock

• ½ ounce fresh spinach, roughly chopped

• ½ ounce arugula

Directions:

Rub chicken with 1/16 teaspoon salt and 1/16 teaspoon black

pepper, 1/8 ounce of butter and ¼ ounce fresh thyme. Roast

in the oven at 350°F for 8 minutes and let rest at room tem-

perature for an additional 4 minutes.

While the chicken is cooking, add remaining butter,

garlic and shallots to a hot saute pan over medium high

heat. Saute for 2 minutes. Add the diced sweet potatoes and

cook for 2 more minutes. Add mushrooms and remaining

salt and pepper, and cook for 2 more minutes. Deglaze pan

with red wine and poultry stock, and bring to a simmer.

Add remaining fresh thyme, spinach and arugula.

Slice chicken into 4 pieces, spoon the vegetables and

butter into a bowl, place chicken on top, and serve at once.

For a free cookbook or additional healthy recipes, visit

www.ochsner.org/magazine. Quantities are limited.

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

Pediatric

Care

D a y m o n G a r d n e r

Cecilia Shaffette charmed her healthcare team with

her joy and resilience.

Every superhero has a vulnerability, like Kryptonite for Super-

man or the color yellow for the Green Lantern. Yet character

and courage allow him or her to overcome that weakness (and

triumph over evil and injustice).

You might say that’s also true for 5-year-old Cecilia Shaffette, one

of Ochsner’s young superheroes. Born with a severe liver malfunc-

tion, Cecilia has been through one major surgery, seven outpatient

procedures and countless visits to approximately 10 physicians and

surgeons. Yet, like many young patients, Cecilia has demonstrated

heroic strength and spirit in fighting both illness and discouragement.

What’s her secret weapon? “I’m brave,” she says.

Each year, nearly 100,000 young superheroes make their way

through Ochsner Hospital for Children and Ochsner Health Centers

for Children. For some, it’s an easy visit, such as a checkup with their

pediatrician or an immunization update. Other children face chal-

lenges as daunting as cancer, a cleft palate, or a damaged heart or

liver in need of transplant. The ambience of the children’s inpatient

Caring for the Littlest Superheroes Courageous and spirited young patients like Cecilia Shaffette are a profound source of inspiration to their healthcare providers.

f a l l / w i n t e r 2 0 1 4 7

“I discovered that she had an enlarged liver. She

needed immediate surgery in order to survive.”

—MARY LOU SEYMOUR, MD, PEDIATRICS,

OCHSNER MEDIC AL CENTER – NORTH SHORE

wing is designed to make children feel safe

and welcome. Ochsner even has a specialized

Children’s Emergency Department, where all

equipment is designed for children and staff

members have special training in pediatric

emergency care.

“You can sense the difference the minute

you walk off the elevator at Ochsner Hospital

for Children,” says Joan Griffith, MD, System

Chairwoman, Department of Pediatrics.

“Immediately, you’re greeted with colorful

artwork donated by a local artist and a ceiling

that looks like the night sky. Our rooms

accommodate family members who want to

spend the night with their child. And we have

a playroom staffed by child-life specialists.

But what really stands out at Ochsner is the

care we give our patients.”

Cecilia agrees. “They take care of you and

make you feel safe,” she says.

Cecilia’s medical obstacles began only

weeks after birth, when her mother, Angelle

Shaffette, grew concerned about her new-

born’s fussy behavior. Though friends assured

her it was probably colic, Angelle sensed

something more serious was wrong. She took

Cecilia to pediatrician Mary Lou Seymour,

MD, and asked her to take another look.

“I discovered that she had an enlarged

liver due to an abnormality in the bile ducts,”

Dr. Seymour recalls. “She needed immediate

surgery in order to survive.”

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

Pediatric Care

Fore!Kids Foundation Supports Our Superheroes and Their Families

The Fore!Kids Foundation recently gave

Ochsner a generous gift of $100,000 to support

two areas of pediatric care. The gift will go in

part to Ochsner’s Pediatric Family Assistance

Fund, which helps parents and guardians with

expenses incurred in caring for their children,

such as travel costs and missed work. It will

also fund the creation of two play areas in the

Women’s Pavilion at Baptist, one outside the

NICU and the other outside Labor and Deliv-

ery, to be called the Fore!Kids Corners.

“Fore!Kids is the foremost charitable orga-

nization for kids in our region,” says Nicholas

Kousagan, Director of Pediatrics at Ochsner

Hospital for Children. “We are delighted to be

among the great organizations they fund and

are grateful for their continued support.”

A cyst in the bile ducts had caused bile to

back up and poison Cecilia’s liver. Pediatric

surgeon Vincent Adolph, MD, performed

emergency surgery to unblock the bile ducts,

but Cecilia was left with permanent cirrhosis

of the liver. Dr. Adolph thought a liver trans-

plant might be needed, but Cecilia made such

a strong recovery that she has been able to put

off that surgery for the time being. Today, Ce-

cilia lives a mostly normal life, taking dance

lessons, attending kindergarten and enter-

taining her new baby sister. Yet her damaged

liver occasionally leads her back to Ochsner

for further treatment.

“Her condition creates veins in the esoph-

agus and spleen that become enlarged and

f a l l / w i n t e r 2 0 1 4 9

bleed. These occasionally need to

be banded to stop the bleeding,” Dr.

Seymour explains. “Also, the enlarged

spleen creates problems with immuni-

ty and can put Cecilia at risk of infec-

tion. So far, we’ve been able to get her

fully vaccinated, which is helpful. We

also monitor her liver function to make

sure ammonia levels don’t get too high

and cause serious complications.”

Angelle says the frequent trips to

the hospital can be trying for Cecil-

ia. But the compassionate physicians

and nurses know when to let her have

some control over her care. In one case,

Cecilia told the nurses that she was

afraid of the tape used to secure the IV

to her hand because it hurt when they

removed it. She promised she would

not bother the IV if they would skip

using the tape. The nurses offered a

compromise: They would use less tape

and then wrap the arm in stretchy pink

athletic wrap. Cecilia agreed, and the

procedure moved forward tearlessly.

Cecilia’s gastroenterologist, Maria-

stella Serrano, MD, has taken a special

interest in Cecilia, making a point to

always greet her with a smile and ask

her questions. When Dr. Serrano heard

that her patient wanted to be a doctor,

she began letting Cecilia play with a

stethoscope during their visits.

“There are so many good things to

say about the care at Ochsner. Every-

one has always been very kind and

caring,” Angelle says.

Although patients and family mem-

bers often express their appreciation to

the men and women who care for them,

the physicians and nurses say it’s the

children who are truly extraordinary.

“The enormous amount of energy

our patients put into getting better and

the trust they place in us are inspir-

ing,” Dr. Griffith says. “That’s why

these kids are superheroes.”

Ochsner Pediatric ServicesOchsner provides a full range of services for children, from birth through adolescence.

• Ochsner Hospital for Children: comprehensive care for children, from the common to

the complex.

• Ochsner Baptist Women’s Pavilion: new location for labor and delivery, including a

neonatal intensive care unit.

• Ochsner Health Centers for Children: clinics offering an array of pediatric services and

specialists, located throughout the New Orleans area, Baton Rouge and the North Shore.

• Ochsner Medical Centers: full-service hospitals that provide acute care to both children

and adults, located in uptown, the North Shore and Kenner.

Cecilia and her mom, Angelle Shaffette.

LEARN MORE

To read about more Ochsner

superheroes or how you can

support pediatric services, visit

www.ochsner.org/magazine.

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

Coordinated

Care

M audrie Grezaffi of Baton Rouge

has been going to Ochsner since

the 1960s. “Sometimes when I present-

ed my ID card, they couldn’t get over

how old it was,” she says with a laugh.

“These days, they don’t even ask for it,

but I still like having it.”

As a result, she’s been able to expe-

rience firsthand how the health system

has evolved over the years. “I was in

North Carolina just a few weeks ago

for my granddaughter’s wedding, and I

had to be hospitalized there,” she says.

“And they had no trouble getting the

records from Ochsner.”

Using the state-of-the-art Epic elec-

tronic medical record system, Ochsner

is able to connect to other hospitals

around the country, including Duke

Regional Hospital, where Grezaffi was

treated. The system provides physicians

with immediate access to medical re-

cords, as well as any notes doctors have

made about the patient’s case. Thus,

any member of a patient’s care team

can simply log on to the system and be

up to date. In fact, Grezaffi’s son-in-

law, Jay Brooks, MD, an oncologist at

Ochsner, was even able to pull up her

records on his phone while she was in

her hospital room.

This speedy electronic transfer of

medical information is just one of many

ways in which Ochsner efficiently

coordinates care for patients. With the

patient’s primary care physician at the

helm, a program of care is developed for

each individual, often across specialties,

service lines, facilities and locations.

“This is in our DNA,” Dr. Brooks says.

“The patient is our focus, and all the

doctors who care for him or her have

one goal: to provide first-rate care.”

In Grezaffi’s case, this has meant a

top-notch team of experts who work

Top Technology, Seamless Care Ochsner’s coordinated, collaborative approach helps patients like Maudrie Grezaffi stay in peak health, no matter where they are.

“This is in our DNA. The patient is our focus, and all the doctors

who care for him or her have one goal: to provide the patient

with first-rate care.”—JAY BROOKS, MD, FACP, CHIEF OF HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY,

OCHSNER MEDIC AL CENTER – BATON ROUGE

f a l l / w i n t e r 2 0 1 4 1 1

together and who all have instanta-

neous access to her records. “Dr. Robert

Hart has been my primary care doctor

for years,” Grezaffi says. “Whenever I

need to see somebody else, he always

makes my appointments for me. Dr.

Christopher Grenier is my eye doctor.

When I went in for my regular check-

up, he said, ‘I would love for you to see

a specialist here, Dr. Curtis Creed. He’s

right down the hall, and you’ll be able

to see him today.’ Well, Dr. Creed found

that I had a ruptured aneurysm behind

that eye, and he stopped the bleeding.

Now, I have perfect vision in both eyes.”

Not only does Epic come in handy

when another doctor, like Dr. Creed, is

brought in to help care for the patient,

it’s also a vital tool for patients, who

can access their own records via their

MyOchsner account. “My mother does

not do computer work, so her commu-

nications come to my email, and I’m

able to monitor her appointments,”

says Grezaffi’s daughter, Vicki Brooks.

“We can review her lab results, and

I can print those out for her. We can

even make an appointment if we need

to.” (Ochsner makes it easy for patients

to designate a healthcare proxy. To

learn more, visit www.ochsner.org or

contact myochsner@ochsner.org.)

“One of the greatest gifts that

Ochsner has—and one of the reasons I

Once You’re Home

“Transition of care is so important to a pa-

tient’s overall heath,” explains Mark Green,

System AVP of the Ochsner Care Coordi-

nation Center. “We follow a very important

procedure in which a registered nurse calls

patients within 24 to 48 hours of discharge

to follow up on his or her status.”

During this call, the nurse inquires

about the patient’s condition and dou-

ble-checks that he or she has and under-

stands the necessary medications, medical

equipment and social support. The nurse

also makes sure the patient is aware of

any relevant warning signs and symptoms,

and schedules a follow-up visit within a set

period of time, usually 7 to 13 days.

“We’ve seen that by following up in this

way, hospital readmittance rates decrease,”

Green says. “And the great value to the

patient is that Ochsner is right there,

covering the whole continuum of care. We

ensure that the ball never gets dropped.”

came to Ochsner 27 years ago—is a

common patient chart,” Dr. Brooks

says. “Back then, it was a physical

chart. Now, everything is electronic,

but our goal is the same. Everybody

is looking at the same information at

the same time, and that’s our great

advantage. And it is the very essence

of coordinated healthcare.”

M a r i e C o n s t a n t i n

Maudrie Grezaffi counts on Ochsner’s coordinated care even when she’s far from her home in Baton Rouge.

LEARN MORE

To sign up for MyOchsner, visit

www.ochsner.org/magazine.

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1 2 w w w . o c h s n e r . o r g

arranged for the patient’s emergency

transfer to Ochsner Medical Center for

spinal surgery.

“Because of Ochsner Critical Care

Telemedicine, the patient got to the op-

erating room very quickly,” says David

Taylor, MD, Chairman of Pulmonary

and Critical Care Medicine at Ochsner

Health System. “With this lifesaving

technology, critical care specialists

can interact with patients even when

they’re not physically side by side.”

EXPANDING EMERGENCY ACCESS

Ochsner Critical Care Telemedicine

connects physicians and nurses who are

at a patient’s bedside with the Electron-

ic Intensive Care Unit (EICU) through

advanced software and continuous

remote monitoring technology. The

software detects and advises clinicians

of trends and changes in a patient’s

condition, enabling more proactive care

with fewer complications. Using the

two-way audio-video capability, off-site

specialists can collaborate with the

bedside medical team and the patient’s

family to make important, time-sensi-

tive decisions.

“The bedside and EICU teams con-

tinuously monitor patients to identify

subtle changes in conditions,” Dr.

Taylor explains. “More patients will

leave the hospital faster and health-

ier, thanks to the ‘second set of eyes’

provided by the Ochsner Critical Care

Telemedicine team.”

Ochsner Critical Care Telemedicine,

he adds, benefits communities that

don’t have 24-hour access to intensiv-

Ochsner CareConnect 360 utilizes advanced technology to connect patients and medical staff in more than 30 hospitals to Ochsner specialists.

Ochsner critical care specialists closely monitor patients, near and far, from the EICU command center.

A Second Set of EyesOchsner CareConnect 360 gives patients round-the-clock access to medical specialists

When a patient came into an

Ochsner hospital complaining

of progressive weakness in his legs,

the nurse who examined him suspect-

ed he was suffering from spinal cord

compression. The condition, a medical

emergency, can lead to permanent spi-

nal injury and paralysis if not quickly

diagnosed and surgically treated.

Even though they were more than an

hour away from the critical care team in

New Orleans, the nurse caring for the

patient was immediately able to con-

nect to an off-site team of nurses and

physicians through Ochsner Critical

Care (CC) Telemedicine, part of Ochsner

CareConnect 360. After evaluation of

the patient by using advanced video and

computer technology, the CC specialists

rapidly confirmed the diagnosis and

f a l l / w i n t e r 2 0 1 4 1 3

Critical

Innovations

ists—physicians who are trained as spe-

cialists in critical care. Because there is

a shortage of these specialized doctors

in the United States, many hospitals

are unable to have critical care physi-

cians on-site 24/7. Ochsner’s team of

multi-specialty intensivists and critical

care nurses are available around the

clock to provide care to communities

across the region.

EXPANDING NETWORK

When it began, Ochsner CareConnect

360 provided telestroke services to

Emergency Departments across the

Ochsner system. By using a telemed-

icine cart equipped with dual screens

and a rotating camera, bedside pro-

viders were able to connect to neurol-

ogists who, using their own laptops,

could interact with patients and view

scans and lab results. According to

Kenneth Gaines, MD, Medical Direc-

tor of Telemedicine and Director of

the Neuroscience Institute, the use of

clot-busting medicine has increased

dramatically since the stroke telemed-

icine program started.

Today, CareConnect 360 has ex-

panded to provide 48 services to more

than 35 facilities in Louisiana and

Mississippi and continues to grow. “No

matter where you are in the Ochsner

system or at one of our partner hospi-

tals,” Dr. Gaines says, “you have access

to the highest level of expertise and all

the resources of our most technolog-

ically advanced facility. With trained

specialists accessible at all times,

more patients can stay close to home

instead of transferring to a primary

facility. Your healthcare system can

come to you.”

In addition to stroke and criti-

cal care, Ochsner CareConnect 360

includes cardiology, maternal fetal

medicine, psychiatry and pediatric

specialties. In the future, the program

will employ smartphone apps that will

allow patients to interact with their

doctors in realtime.

“These specialists provide an all-

encompassing level of care,” he adds,

“offering increased comfort and peace

of mind to our patients and families.”

To have 24/7 access to your medical

records, email your doctor, make or

change appointments and more, sign

up for MyOchsner by visiting www.

ochsner.org/magazine.

“With this lifesaving technology, critical care specialists can interact with patients even when they’re not physically side by side.” —DAVID TAYLOR, MD, CHAIRMAN, PULMONARY AND CRITIC AL C ARE MEDICINE, OCHSNER HE ALTH SYSTEM

Ochsner Neurologist, Dr. Ken Gaines participates in a patient evaluation.

Patients, survivors, television hosts and—yes!—even wrestling superstars all helped to spread hope and laughter to members of the Ochsner community and beyond.

1 4 w w w . o c h s n e r . o r g

Glimpses

People and Places

Top: WWL-TV’s Sally-Ann Roberts and Eric Paulsen hosted Hope Floats at Mardi Gras World, a celebration of cancer survivors and patients. Above: Rosie Combe and Kristianne Stewart.

Above: Ochsner invited patients from across the region to come to one of several evenings of music, “mocktails,” hors d’oeuvres and private, comprehensive screening mammograms. Bottom, from left: WWE Superstars Kofi Kingston, Goldust, Zack Ryder and Cody Rhodes visited a young Ochsner patient named London.

The Spirit of GivingGenerous donors honor their loved ones with lasting legacies.

PURPLE PANTS WITH PURPOSE

When New Orleans architect Ian G. Thompson passed away from pancreatic cancer

in 2012, his family wanted to celebrate his memory in a special way. They set up

a foundation in his name and asked that all donations go to the Bush Pancreatic

Cancer Research Fund at the Ochsner Cancer Institute.

“We want people to have access to first-rate cancer treatment locally, the way my

dad did,” says Thompson’s daughter, Eliana. “So we chose to support cancer research,

which we felt would help Ochsner continue to attract top-quality physicians.”

But that was just the beginning. In 2013, Eliana and her mother, Jane Morgan, PhD,

decided to throw an annual fundraiser in support of pancreatic cancer research. They

called the event the Purple Pants Party and asked attendees to get decked out in pur-

ple (the color associated with pancreatic cancer awareness) and the crazier the outfits,

the better.

“We wanted to attract attention for a good cause,” adds Dr. Morgan, an immu-

nologist, who was deeply impressed by the care her husband received at Ochsner.

“And being from New Orleans, of course we wanted to have fun doing it. So the idea

of purple pants made perfect sense to us! And we know Ian would have enjoyed it.”

For more information, visit www.igthompson.org.

CARING FOR CAREGIVERS

Sidney Englander recalls with emotion

how his wife, Barbara, stayed by his side

24/7 during his leukemia treatments.

“She was so wonderful, and her being

with me was a big part of my recovery,”

says Englander, a Metairie resident.

Englander, who needed a bone mar-

row transplant and received follow-up

care at Ochsner in 2012, gradually grew

stronger due in large part, he says, to

Barbara’s support. But in September

2013, Barbara passed away from a brain

aneurysm at the age of 60. Devastat-

ed, Englander established the Barbara

Englander Caregiver Assistance Fund

because he had seen firsthand how

much stress caregivers often experi-

ence. “I wanted to help improve their

quality of life, whether it’s to offer them

massages or manicures, or anything to

help relieve the pressure. They are so

important to patients’ well-being. And

I am so honored that Barbara’s legacy

will live on. It makes me very proud.”

To learn more or to support the

Barbara Englander Caregiver Assis-

tance Fund, contact Anna Combes at

504-842-7134 or acombes@ochsner.org.

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f a l l / w i n t e r 2 0 1 4 1 5

Community News

Eliana Thompson and her mother, Dr. Jane Morgan.

Sidney Englander holds a photo of himself with his bride, Barbara.

1 6 w w w . o c h s n e r . o r g

Body

& Soul

We’ve Got Your Back!Ochsner offers advanced therapies, treatments and surgeries to address chronic back and neck pain. But that’s not the only way Ochsner has your back. From a 24/7 nurse care line to patient resources, Ochsner gives patients the compassionate support and expert care they need.

Posture PerfectBe mindful of these do’s and don’ts to protect

your spine.

• Do keep your ears in line with your shoulders.

(Don’t lean too far forward.)

• Do place both feet flat on the floor when sitting.

• Do wear comfortable shoes with a good arch

support. High heels may cause the lower back

to arch excessively.

• Do keep your core muscles in. Try to use your

abdominal muscles to support your back.

• Don’t sit for prolonged periods of time, as this

causes postural strain.

• Don’t cross your legs when sitting. This can

lead to an imbalance in the pelvis.

• Don’t stand too straight. Tilt your pelvis slightly

forward so that your spine’s natural curve is

supported.

For more tips on protecting your spine, visit

www.ochsner.org/magazine.

80%Eighty percent of people have back pain at some point in their lives.

f a l l / w i n t e r 2 0 1 4 1 7

Comprehensive Back and Spine Care

Even though back pain is a common ailment, patients often don’t realize

that there are many surgical and nonsurgical treatments available to help

them. No matter where you are located, Ochsner offers a full portfolio of

services that include physical medicine and rehabilitation, physical and oc-

cupational therapy, pain management, and innovative surgical techniques.

The Ochsner Back and Spine Center, located at Ochsner Baptist, is a multi-

disciplinary center specializing in customized plans of care for each patient.

Patients may also be referred to the HealthyBack Program at Ochsner Baptist, which offers

comprehensive treatment solutions for people suffering from chronic back and neck pain.

Using proven medical equipment, physical therapists often work with patients to strengthen

their muscles and improve their range of motion. In addition, a health coach can advise on

everything from stress and weight management to an appropriate exercise regimen.

To learn if these services might be right for you, visit www.ochsner.org/magazine.

Sweet Relief/ Simple tips to relieve common back pain:

– Limit bed rest. Sleeping in or lounging in a hammock may be tempting ways

to spend the weekend, but experts say that being up and about is one of the

best ways to relieve back pain.

– Exercise! Even something as basic as taking a brisk walk can be helpful.

– Maintain good posture, which helps to relieve pressure on the spine and

back muscles. (See opposite page.)

– Stretch regularly. This can help relieve back and neck pain.

– Ditch the cigarettes. Studies show that smokers may have increased back

pain because nicotine restricts the flow of blood to certain soft tissues.

➜ If your back pain is a serious, chronic condition, see a specialist.

Your doctor can suggest ways to relieve back pain or, if needed,

recommend physical therapy or surgery.

24/7 Support Did you know that Ochsner has you covered day in and

day out? Ochsner On Call, our free, round-the-clock phone

service, provides advisory services and appointment booking,

if necessary. Specially trained registered nurses are always on

hand to discuss your healthcare concerns and help you decide

if your symptoms require going to the emergency room for

assessment, or if you need a visit to a physician. And with ap-

proximately 80 percent of the incoming calls determined to be

nonemergent cases, this caring and supportive phone service

can help patients avoid costly trips to the ER.

Ochsner On Call is available to anyone in Louisiana

or Mississippi and is not limited to Ochsner patients:

800-231-5257 or 504-842-3155.

/ “Our muscles and our bodies want to move. It is important to stay active. Inactivity breeds stiffness and more pain.” —Christine Keating, MD, Site Director, Ochsner Back and Spine Center, Ochsner Baptist

Back pain is the second most common reason people go to the doctor, after the common cold.

1 8 w w w . o c h s n e r . o r g

180,ooo People Can’t Be Wrong! That's the number of patients who count

on MyOchsner to manage their care,

wherever and whenever they want.

Schedule appointments

Email your doctor

Refill prescriptions

Check test results

View medical records

Want to schedule appointments—and

more—online? Visit www.ochsner.org/

magazine.

Navigation Tips

Staying Connected➜ Just call, click or tap!

From online appointment booking to a 24/7 nurse care line, we make it easy for patients to navigate Ochsner Health System. Here are helpful tools that make our services more accessible than ever.

➜ Visit our appointment site to

find phone numbers or set up a

MyOchsner account to book online

at www.ochsner.org/schedule.

➜ Like Ochsner Health System on

Facebook at www.facebook.com/

ochsnerhealthsystem.

➜ Follow Ochsner on Twitter at

www.twitter.com/ochsnerhealth.

➜ Check ER wait times at

www.ochsner.org/chooseER.

➜ Bookmark www.ochsner.org on your

tablet or smartphone. Our newly

updated mobile version makes it easy

to contact us on the go!

Ochsner On Call / No matter what time of day or night it is,

connecting with your Ochsner healthcare team has never been easier.

For non-life-threatening issues, you can call Ochsner’s free 24/7 nurse care

line, Ochsner On Call, and speak

with a registered nurse. Our specially

trained nurses will help determine

the best care options for you. Ochsner

On Call provides nurse triage, appointment booking, health education and

advisory services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Call 800-231-5257 or 504-842-3155 to speak to one of our nurses.

f a l l / w i n t e r 2 0 1 4 1 9

At a Glance

Myth vs. RealityThe truth about some common health

misconceptions.

MYTH: Taking vitamin C can prevent a cold.

REALITY: There is no evidence that vitamin

C can prevent a cold. However, it can help to

reduce the severity and duration of a cold.

MYTH: Feed a cold and starve a fever.

REALITY: Listen to your body in both circum-

stances. You may have a reduced appetite

when you feel sick, but if you feel hungry,

you should eat. Staying hydrated is important

when sick.

MYTH: An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

REALITY: Blueberries will probably do a better

job at keeping the doctor away. They are full

of antioxidants and fiber, both essential to

maintaining good health. However, eating

a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables is

important for preventing illnesses.

MYTH: Crossing your legs will give you

varicose veins.

REALITY: Crossing your legs will not increase

your chances of getting varicose or spider

veins. However, obesity, aging, lack of move-

ment or a genetic predisposition will.

MYTH: Adults only need vaccinations if they

are traveling outside of the country.

REALITY: Vaccines aren’t just for travelers and

kids. Many adults become ill each year from

diseases that could have been prevented by

vaccines. Everyone, from young adults to se-

nior citizens, can benefit from immunizations.

Sources: www.cdc.gov, www.hhs.gov and

www.womenshealth.gov.

Hello, Health!Don’t miss Hello Health, Ochsner’s healthcare seminar series for the entire

community. Every week, an Ochsner physician or local healthcare expert

discusses a relevant health topic or current medical trend at a convenient

venue. Hello Health seminars can also be seen on TV.

Visit www.ochsner.org/hellohealth for a list of upcoming seminars.

To register, call 1-855-312-4189 (toll free).

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1514 Jefferson Hwy

Jefferson, LA 70121

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDNew Orleans LAPermit No. 1324

With a Medicare Advantage plan,you can relax, knowing your health is

pr tectedIf you are newly eligible for a Medicare plan, make sure you have quality care with a plan that keeps Ochsner as your provider. With an Ochsner-accepted Medicare Advantage plan, you receive all the coverage of traditional Medicare plus potential benefits that may include:

• Prescription drug coverage• No deductibles• Low copays• Gym membership at no additional cost• Emergency coverage at home or when you travel

And Ochsner providers will be in network, which means you’ll have access to our nationally ranked geriatric specialists, services to promote wellness and electronic medical records, so all of your doctors can communicate about your health.

To learn more about Medicare Advantage plans accepted at Ochsner, please visit www.ochsner.org/65.