HJNO May/Jun 2019

28 maY / JUN 2019  I  Healthcare Journal of New Orleans   Healthcare Briefs LSUHealth NOGives Kids a Smile LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry and the NewOrleans Dental Association (NODA) recently partnered to“give kids a smile.”Students at Esperanza Charter School took part in the Give Kids a Smile Day event, held at the LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry. When the children arrived, they were divided into groups, which rotated through stations. Activities included outdoor sports and activi- ties to promote physical fitness; dental hygiene how-to’s, featuring brushing, flossing, and nutri- tion activities; and a photo booth.TheTooth Fairy, and her friends Tooth and Sparkle, taught life les- sons on how to keep mouths healthy and smiles sparkling. NODA and LSU Health New Orleans dentists, dental and dental hygiene students, and dental residents screened and cleaned the chil- dren’s teeth, applying sealants where warranted. The groups will continue to rotate until all of the children have participated in all of the activities.   The latest statistics reported by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry include: -Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood and remains an epidemic among our nation’s children. -Nearly one in five U.S. children under the age of five experienced dental cavities in 2015–2016. -Children from low-income and minority fami- lies are particularly vulnerable to dental disease, as are children with special health- care needs. -According to the ADA Foundation, the Give Kids A Smile program was launched nationally in 2003 as a way for dentists to join with oth- ers in the community to provide dental services to underserved children. Each year, 350,000 to 400,000 children benefit frommore than 1,500 events, all because of the efforts of  volunteers, nationwide.” J. Michael Conerly, MD, is LAMMICO’s President, CEO The Board of Directors of LAMMICO elected J. Michael Conerly, MD, to serve as president and chief executive officer. Since 2011, Conerly served as board chairman before being elected to this new executive leadership role. He succeeds past president and chief executive officer, Thomas H. Grimstad, MD, who retired Feb. 28, 2019, after completing a successful transition plan with Conerly that began in 2018.   Conerly is a long-standing member of LAM- MICO leadership having served as a member of the underwriting, marketing, joint risk assess- ment, governance, and audit Committees over the last 22 years. He was elected as chairman of the board of directors in 2011 after having served on the board since 1999. “Dr. Conerly’s experience and leadership will continue to serve LAMMICO well as he takes on the role of president and CEO,” said Frederick J. White, III, MD, chairman of the board of directors at LAMMICO.“Dr. Conerly is a skilled advocate for healthcare providers and is committed to provid- ing exceptional service to LAMMICO’s insureds. He fits right in to the LAMMICO culture and is already a valued leader.” After graduating from the University of Missis- sippi School of Medicine in 1985, Conerly com- pleted a general surgery residency at Roanoke Memorial Hospital/University of Virginia School of Medicine. In 2016, he earned a Master of Busi- ness Administration from Louisiana State Uni- versity Shreveport. Conerly practiced surgery in Alexandria, La., from 1990 to 2018. He was a foundingmember of Mid Louisiana Surgical Specialists in 2003, where he was a surgeon and president until 2018. As a surgical specialist, Conerly is certified by the American Board of Surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. “I look forward to leading LAMMICO and serv- ing our insured healthcare providers and facili- ties,”said Conerly.“This leadership role will chal- lenge me to use my business skills and medical experience to ensure LAMMICO’s success as we work to reducemalpractice risk, increase patient safety, and educate our insureds about riskman- agement strategies.” Daughters of Charity Services of NewOrleans to Change its Name to Ascension DePaul Services Daughters of Charity Services of New Orleans (DCSNO) will change its name toAscension DeP- aul Services and adopt theAscension logo effec- tive July 1, 2019. Ascension, one of the leading nonprofit and Catholic health systems in the U.S., made a con- certed effort to assist patients in accessing care and navigating their health by creating consist- ent names for its facilities and services across the country. The care sites which serve those most in need in the New Orleans area will be doing business as DePaul Community Health Centers. St. Vin- cent DePaul inspired the works of charity in New Orleans, through the schools, social services, and healthcare provided by the Daughters of Char- ity for 185 years. Many in the New Orleans com- munity remember DePaul Hospital on Calhoun Street. Ascension DePaul Services is claiming that name for the comprehensive primary and preventive care and behavioral health services available today. “DCSNO has been part of Ascension for nearly 20 years,” said Michael G. Griffin, president and CEO. “Working together has enabled us to improve the care we provide by bringing the knowledge and resources of thousands of med- ical professionals across the country to our own practice.Adding theAscension name to our own reflects the strength of being part of this national network.” The Daughters of Charity Province of St. Louise fully supported and worked collaboratively with community health center senior leaders on the new name, which appropriately represents spon- sorship for the New Orleans health services. “Our mission to improve the health and well-be- ing of our community remains steadfast and will be strengthened by this new name that ties directly to St.Vincent DePaul’s passion to care for the sick and those living in poverty,” said Griffin. Patients will continue to see the primary care provider they know and trust. Ascension DeP- aul Services has access to other experts and J. Michael Conerly, MD