May 12, 2025

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Louisiana Healthcare Connections is promoting the importance of maternal mental health. 

Research shows that one in five women experience a mental health condition, and many go untreated due to stigma, lack of time, or difficulty accessing care.

The health plan recommends the following ways to support maternal mental health this May:

-Encourage moms to take breaks and practice self-care.

-Support policies that improve access to mental health services for women.

May 6, 2025

Ochsner Health recently broke ground on The Gayle and Tom Benson Ochsner Children’s Hospital. Joined by Gayle Benson, Ochsner Health leaders, and local and state government officials, this afternoon’s groundbreaking ceremony marks a historic step forward in making this innovative new home for the hospital for kids a reality.  Ochsner and Benson also unveiled a new partnership with Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana, aimed at fulfilling the wishes of many children.

May 6, 2025

LCMC Health announced that three different units at two of their hospitals have received Beacon Award Designations from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). The Surgical Pulmonary Progressive Care Unit at East Jefferson General Hospital (EJGH) has been honored with the prestigious Silver Beacon Award designation, and the Cardiovascular Progressive Care Unit at EJGH received the Bronze Beacon Award designation. Additionally, the Burn Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at University Medical Center (UMC) New Orleans has been honored with a Silver Beacon Award designation.

May 6, 2025

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center announced Jodie Daguimol as the new practice manager for the Cancer Center’s Metairie location.

Daguimol, who holds a master’s degree in public administration, comes to Mary Bird Perkins with experience in healthcare administration. Her most recent role was clinic manager at LSU Health/LCMC, where she oversaw the daily operations of LSU Health’s ob-gyn faculty practice and its internal medicine and pediatrics faculty.

May 6, 2025

The 2025 Louisiana legislative session is underway. In the midst of Louisiana’s first cases of measles recently confirmed by the Louisiana Department of Health and an ongoing whooping cough (pertussis) outbreak that has already killed 2 Louisiana infants, Louisiana Families for Vaccines is sounding the alarm about a slate of bills that threaten to dismantle core components of the state’s public health infrastructure — including removing and prohibiting vaccine requirements.